WMM Playlist from August 12, 2020

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

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Calvin Arsenia + Cuee + Greenline Grows KC
+ Nathan Reusch + New & MidCoastal Releases

1. “It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / Dec. 20, 1979
[WMM’s theme]

2. Scott Hrabko & The Rabbits – “Last Dance”
from: Last Dance EP / Scott Hrabko / August 7, 2020
[Scott Hrabko calls this new EP release a “bit of a departure …” Scott writes on his bandcamp page: “For some time now, ideas for dance/experimental rhythms have been knocking (in syncopation!) on the doors of my dreams, with a growing sense of urgency. Eventually I had no choice but to heed the call, so I got busy and recorded this EP. In this time of social distancing I played all of the Rabbit parts except as noted below, with my friends, Chris Tady (in person, pre-pandemic) and Jason Beers (via remote). My son, Sam Hrabko created the beautiful image on the cover. Chris Tady on lead guitar on “45 Spiders,” Jason Beers on slide guitar on “Last Dance,” all other sounds and utterances by Scott Hrabko. Produced by Scott Hrabko. Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering – Portland, OR. Earlier this year Scott Hrabko released the singles “Free” on August 7, and “Dog In The Backyard” on April 3, 2020. These singles followed the single “Pretty Good Day,” released November 2, 2019. Scott Hrabko released the EP Smash Hits From A Parallel Universe, on February 14, 2019, with Scott Hrabko on lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic 6 and 12 string guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, & percussion; Jason Beers on bass guitar; Tim Higgins on drums, Marco Pascolini on junior electric guitar. Scott called this release: 4 songs for the new age of anxiety. Scott Hrabko & The Rabbits released the albums: “Summer,” in 2017, and “Biscuits and Gravity” in 2015. Scott Hrabko’s 2013 critically acclaimed solo release, “Gone Places” was said to be 30 years in the making. Singer-songwriter Scott Hrabko has played with KC’s oldest garage band The Original Sinners, as well as various incarnations of the 1980s bands: The Splinters, and The Andersons. In the early 1990s Scott performed as a solo artist in coffee houses with Iris Dement and Howard Eisberg. More info at: http://www.scotthrabko.com]

3. Kemet Coleman – “Black Is Beautiful”
from: Black Is Beautiful / Kemet Coleman / August 1, 2020
[Crane Brewing, partnered with rap artist, urbanist and beer lover, Kemet Coleman for their latest brew, Black is Beautiful, highlighted by a musical release, also called Black is Beautiful, written and performed by Coleman. The new Imperial Stout, part of the Black Is Beautiful initiative created by Weathered Soul’s Brewing, will be released in cans and sold at liquor stores in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska starting August 1, 2020. All proceeds will be donated to G.I.F.T (Generating Income for Tomorrow), a Kansas City-based non-profit with a goal to provide grants to Black owned businesses in Kansas City, with a specific interest in businesses that operate in low income areas. Music written, composed and produced by Kemet Coleman except for COLLECTION PLATE which is produced by Sharif Thomas. Kemet Coleman is a Kansas City based musicians and is a member of the Hip-Hop duo COA (Center of Attention) and is the lead singer of the Funk/Rap/Soul band The Phantastics. Kemet is also a core element of The Marcus Lewis Big Band for Brass & Boujee. Kemet is a two time Pitch Music Award nominee for “Best Hip-Hop Act.” Kemet is known for his unprecedented collaborations with UMKC, KC Streetcar and The Kansas City Royals. He is also highly regarded for his impresario role within the Sly James for Mayor Campaign in the 2010-2011 where he created the first ever KC mayoral candidate rap song. A University of Missouri – Kansas City alumnus, Kemet, created “Gold and Blue” for UMKC’s sports teams, which has garnered thousands of plays on YouTube and has been featured on prime-time television commercials for the university. Earlier this year Coleman contributed his song, “The Virus” to the compilation, Kansas City Syzygy, music created by over 25 Kansas City-based musicians in the middle of the map of a pandemic. “The Virus” is his comment on the impact of the coronavirus, as well as the virus that is racial injustice in America that has received global attention during the past months. All proceeds donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, and truly affordable home came together. More info at: http://www.kemetcoleman.com]

[Kemet Coleman and his band The Phantastics play Greenline Grows KC-Benefit for The Greenline Initiative, Fri, Aug. 28, 7:00 PM, streams LIVE on Facebook & YouTube with: Radkey, The Greeting Committee, Khrystal., Danny Cox & Bob Walkenhorst, Cuee, Enrique Javier Chi of Making Movies w/ Las Hermanas Altoro, Stephonne, Krystle Warren, They Call Me Sauce, and more!]

4. Krystle Warren & The Faculty – “Climbing Out (feat. Teddy Thompson)”
from: Love Songs – A Time to Refrain from Embracing / Parlour Door Music / April 9, 2012 UK]
[Originally from KC, Krystle learned to play the guitar by listening to Rubber Soul & Revolver from The Beatles. Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy in 2001 and began her musical career in collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians. After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label, Because Music, who gave her a one way ticket to France. Krystle moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played French and British television programs, including Later with Jools Holland, garnering critical acclaim and traveling all over the world on tours with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman. Krystle left Because Music and created, Parlour Door Music, to release “Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace / A Time to Refrain from Embracing” a recording from a 13-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections. In 2019 The Kansas City based Owen/Cox Dance Group premiered a new dance piece titled “Love Songs” with choreography by Jennifer Owen, set to all 24 songs, in the order they appear in the double album recording, that Brad Cox originally worked on as an arranger and keyboardist. Krystle Warren has collaborated with Erykah Badu, Keziah Jones, Zap Mama, Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright, Brad Cox Amadou & Mariam, Lakecia Benjamin, Guarco, Teddy Thompson, Gwyneth Herbert, Hercules & Love Affair, and Joon Moon. Along with being included in the compilation “NYC Subway – Songs from the Underground,” and tribute recordings for Kate McGarrigle, and Nick Drake, Warren has released the EP “Diary” on May 1, 2007; “The Up Series – EP” on November 10, 2008; “Circles” her 13-song full length on March 13, 2009; “A Time To Keep – Love Songs EP”, on August 12, 2011, The double album 24-song “Love Songs” released on vinyl in Europe on April 9, 2012 and as separate digital and CD albums in the U.S. as: “Love Songs: A Time to Embrace,” on March 13, 2012 and “Love Songs: A Time to Refrain from Embracing” on February 27, 2015; Krystle released “Three the Hard Way” on August 18, 2017; and the new single “Rising”was released May 31, 2019.]

[Krystle Warren plays Greenline Grows KC-Benefit for The Greenline Initiative, Fri, Aug. 28, 7:00 PM, streams LIVE on Facebook & YouTube with: Radkey, The Greeting Committee, Khrystal., Danny Cox & Bob Walkenhorst, Cuee, Enrique Javier Chi of Making Movies w/ Las Hermanas Altoro, Stephonne, Krystle Warren, They Call Me Sauce, The Phantastics and more!]

5. Kris Delmhorst – “The Horses”
from: Long Day In The Milky Way / Kris Delmhorst / August 14, 2020
[Kris Delmhorst is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, United States, she now lives in Western Massachusetts, is an active member of the Boston folk scene, and tours internationally. She has released nine full-length solo albums and two EPs on Signature Sounds Recordings. Delmhorst released Appetite, her first album, in 1998, the same year she was involved in producing the Respond compilation, a fundraiser for domestic violence groups. It included her song Weatherman. In 1999, she released a live album with The Vinal Avenue String Band, consisting of herself, Sean Staples, and Ry Cavanaugh. Her second solo album, Five Stories, was released in 2001 and was well received. In 2005, Delmhorst, Jeffrey Foucault, and Peter Mulvey released an album entitled Redbird. The trio released a live album in 2011. In 2006, Delmhorst took the words of poems by writers such as Lord Byron, George Eliot and Edna St. Vincent Millay, and set them to original music.[4] Delmhorst released Shotgun Singer in 2008, a collection of original recordings noted for its artistic vibe, instrumentation and alternative aesthetic, compared to previous recordings that focused more heavily on vocals and lyrics. In 2011, Delmhorst gathered instrumentalists and singers from across the Boston/Cambridge music scene, including The Cars’ keyboardist Greg Hawkes, to record a covers album dedicated to music by the new wave band The Cars. Delmhorst’s seventh album, Blood Test was released on Signature Sounds on May 13, 2014. It is her first of original music since her 2008 album Shotgun Singer. Delmhorst has recorded vocals, fiddle and cello on over 50 albums from artists such as Peter Wolf, Mary Gauthier, Chris Smither and Lori McKenna. Delmhorst is married to fellow singer/songwriter Jeffrey Foucault, with whom she had a daughter in 2008.[9] She occasionally performs as part of the collective Redbird with Foucault and Mulvey.]

6. Indigo Girls – “K.C. Girl”
from: Look Long / Rounder Records – Concord / April 24, 2020
[15th studio album by American folk rock duo Indigo Girls. The Indigo Girls recorded the album with previous collaborator John Reynolds. Tour dates were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States but the duo performed a series of weekly live-streamed concerts online to raise money for charity as well as promote this release. These events were accompanied by a question and answer session and audience requests for performances. They also performed at a virtual festival of musicians raising money for the United Nations Foundation on Mother’s Day, 2020. Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo from Atlanta, Georgia, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. The two met in elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. They started performing with the name Indigo Girls as students at Emory University, performing weekly at The Dugout, a bar in Emory Village. They released a self-produced, full-length record album entitled Strange Fire in 1987, and contracted with a major record company in 1988. After releasing nine albums with major record labels from 1987 through 2007, they have now resumed self-producing albums with their own IG Recordings company. Outside of working on Indigo Girls–related projects, Ray has released solo albums and founded a non-profit organization that promotes independent musicians, while Saliers is an entrepreneur in the restaurant industry as well as a professional author; she also collaborates with her father, Don Saliers, in performing for special groups and causes. Saliers & Ray are both lesbians and active in political and environmental causes.]

7. Gemini Revolution – “Pure Air”
from: Supernova Remnant / Kosmic City Records / August 6, 2020
[Dedric Moore on synthesizer, bass, drum programming, dub guitar; Delaney Moore on synthesizer, Krystof Nemeth on baritone guitar on 4, 5, and 6; Mikal Shapiro on lead vocal on 6; Teri Quinn on backing vocal on 6; Alexander Thomas on drums on 6. An alternate timeline side of Monta at Odds. Gemini Revolution explores the dark ambient side of sonic space exploration digging deep into sounds from beyond slowly enveloping everything it comes into contact. Set your controls to the heart of the supernova. Gemini Revolution finds brothers Dedric and Delaney veering from their duties in Monta At Odds and into the uncharted star-field. Their album Supernova Remnant yields expansive results — kosmiche tones and analog textures blending into an intense brand of ambient extraction. Throughout Supernova Remnant, Gemini Revolution masterfully execute a push/pull effect with layers of sound, planting a feeling of time’s motion stuck in place. The opening “Slow Stars” sets up the project, inspired by a challenge from fellow 8Di’er San Mateo and morphing into a blossoming 17 minutes that surround in a sonically colorful haze. From there, Supernova Remnant tours the sizzling remains of celestial objects, with Dedric and Delaney’s intertwined instrumentation guiding the way. Krystof Nemeth, of darkwave band Emmaline Twist, supplies his remote ‘baritone guitar’ on a few key tracks. And drummer Alexander Thomas and vocalists Mikal Shapiro and Teri Quinn appear for the epic finale, “Children of Collisions.” Together the six tracks complete Gemini Revolution’s orbit, floating through the darkness as a cosmic whole. Listen as Supernova Remnant traces the distance of imagination. More info at http://www.kosmiccity.com]

8. Mikal Shapiro & The Musical – “The Distance of Elements”
from: Kansas City Syzygy / Kansas City Syzygy / July 17, 2020
[The Musical is Mikal Shapiro, on vocals & guitar, Chad Brothers on vocals & guitar, Johnny Hamil on bass, and Matt Richey on drums. Recorded separately and with social distancing. Mikal Shapiro released her critically acclaimed album The Musical II on May 26, 2018 which included “Everybody’s Baby” her pop song she wrote that got a lot of radio play, but all the songs on The Musical 11 are great. The Musical II is the sequel to Shapiro’s 2015 concept album, “The Musical.” Along with Mikal Shapiro, Chad Brothers, Johnny Hamil and Matt Richey, special guests include: Hermon Mehari on trumpet, Tina Bilberry on viola & violin, Damon Parker on keyboards, and Lauren Hughes on vocals. Engineered and co-produced by Joel Nanos at Element Recording & Mastering Studios. Mikal Shapiro is a KC songwriter whose musical influences span popular songs, psych rock, lounge, classic country and old time spirituals. She has toured extensively across the U.S. and has recorded five critically acclaimed albums. KC Star and Tim Finn declared her album “The Musical” to be one of his top five releases of 2015. A third generation storyteller, she draws inspiration from her travels, love life, and the state of the Union // Kansas City Syzygy is a glimpse into the music created in the middle of the map in the middle of a pandemic. Mastered by J Ashley Miller, designed by JC Franco, with compilation direction by Robert Castillo. Over 25 Kansas City-based musicians came together to create “Kansas City Syzygy,” a compilation of music created during the shutdown of the world in April of 2020. The album can be purchased from Bandcamp. All proceeds will be donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, and truly affordable home.]

10:29 – Underwriting

9. Soultru – “We”
from: “We” – Single / The Record Machine / January 31, 2020
[One of several singles Soultru has released this year incuding “Come & Gone” released April 10, 2020. Vocals by Terrance Banks. Singer, songwriter, poet and emcee Terrance A Banks aka Soultru is a native of Davenport, Iowa and is currently based out of the Quad Cities area of NW Illinois/NE Iowa. Combining his poetic and lyrical talents with a soulful voice, Soultru has forged his own unique sound. Soultru credits a wide range of influences, including Gavin Degraw, John Legend, Yelawolf and Son Little. Soultru released the single “Must Be” on August 24, 2019. More info at: http://www.soultrumusic.com]

Nathan Reusch

10:36 – Interview with Nathan Reusch

Nathan Reusch is founder of The Record Machine, a homegrown record label started in 2003. Originally created to promote music from Kansas City & Lawrence, TRM has grown to turnout records from bands all across the country. Nathan is also co-founder & curator of the Middle of The Map Fest, and Sound Machine KC. You can learn about all of their bands and more details at http://www.therecordmachine.co

Nathan Reusch joins us to share the new single from The Fey. The Fey play Lemonad(e) Park, 1628 Wyoming (NW corner of Wyoming & 17th St.), behind Voltaire, on Friday, August 14, at 7:00 PM, with Black Light Animals, and The Freedom Affair.

Nathan Reusch, Thanks for being with us on WMM.

Current Record Machine Releases:

Soultru

Soultru – “Must Be” – single, released August 24, 2019. Soultru is Terrance Banks, a singer, songwriter, poet and emcee, and native of Davenport, Iowa and is currently based out of the Quad Cities area of NW Illinois/NE Iowa. Combining his poetic and lyrical talents with a soulful voice, Soultru has forged his own unique sound. Soultru credits a wide range of influences, including Gavin Degraw, John Legend, Yelawolf and Son Little. Soultru released the single “Must Be” on August 24, 2019.

The Noise FM

The Noise FM – “Cooler Heads Prevail” / “Who’s Watching Who?” – single, released July 24, 2020. The Noise FM play melodic, beat-driven indie-rock. Sometimes the tunes get really loud with fuzzed out synthesizers and gnarly riffs. Other times, it gets quieter — all grooves and sexy vibes. Regardless of the volume, people tend to dance. Brothers Alex & Austin Ward formed The Noise FM in Lawrence, Kansas. After 9 years in Chicago, the band relocated to Los Angeles in 2019. The band released their 10 song album Attraction on January 28, 2014. The band released Hot Sauce: The Noise FM Live from recordBar on December 9, 2016. They released their 6-song EP Enclave on May 14, 2010. The band released Dream of the Attack on October 1, 2008. They released their 16 track Night of the Sentinels on January 1, 2007. Alex & Austin Ward are also members of the band Hembree.]

The Republic Tigers – Mind Over Matter, album, released June 5, 2020. Hailing from Kansas City, MO, The Republic Tigers spike their lushly orchestrated indie rock with organic and synthetic elements. Founder Kenn Jankowski originally moved to Kansas City in 1999 and began playing guitar for The People, a band that later changed its name to The Golden Republic (Astralwerks Records). He also made fast friends with local musicians Ryan Pinkston and Adam McGill; and when The Golden Republic disbanded seven years later, he opted to launch his pop-based project with the other two multi-instrumentalists. Taking their name from Jankowski’s high school mascot, The Republic Tigers expanded their lineup with bassist Marc Pepperman and drummer Justin Tricomi. Electronic structures remained to play an important role in their music (via convenience/sensible creation-farming/forming), and the band issued a self-titled EP in late 2007 before putting the finishing touches on Keep Color, which arrived in 2008. Then there was a cool EP in 2011 titled “No Land’s Man” which featured the emo smash hit “The Infidel” and the extremely fun “Merrymake It With Me”. And then a second concept LP was concocted, “Mind Over Matter” – written from the year 2008 to the year 2011. Mixed and mastered in the year 2012. But then it was sadly shelved by the original labels until finally being released on hometown indie label The Record Machine in 2020.

Sally Haze

Sally Haze – “All That Matters” – single, released May 15, 2020. You might think this Chicago act was a solo artist, but it’s actually the project of trans-continental couple, Jess and Will Wright; the name is a sly literary reference. Jess, born and raised in Chicago, and Will, born in Leeds, England began writing and recording as Sally Haze in their home studio in 2019. Their goal is to create music that blurs the lines between Dream Pop, Shoegaze, and Neo-Psychedelia while maintaining pop sensibilities with a heavy focus on rhythm and melody. Their DIY attitude leads them to make music they enjoy listening to as much as it was fun to play. Their new EP, Wet Dream not only picks up where the couple left off, but shows growth too. The five tracks on Wet Dream are dream-pop songs that make you want to dance. They are bombastic, yet still find a way to be ethereal. Most of the songs on the EP were written drums and bass first, with guitars and vocal melodies fleshed out afterwards. Their debut EP, Dining Room, was praised by critics. It was included in the Uproxx ‘Best of Bandcamp November 2019′ list, and the duo was named Chicago Artist of the Month by the Deli. Wet Dream will be released in the summer of 2020.

Pala Zolo

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

The Fey

The Fey – “Tear It Off” – single, released August 7, 2020. The Fey is an Alternative R&B band, was formed by singer, songwriter, and producer Zach Watkins. While the infrastructure of the group’s style and sound is developed by Watkins, it is made complete by instrumentalists Michael Rogers (lead guitar), Ludwing Siebenhor (rhythm guitar), and John Fucinaro (bass). Evolved from the rock-soul project formally known as, AZP, and after years of arranging, composing, and performing under the former brand, Watkins felt destined to shape things back to his original design to produce modern music with a retro vibe. Since his jazz percussion studies at Berklee College of Music, Watkins has created music for and with artists of various genres, while crafting what he considers the ideal blend of sound and style that is now The Fey. This style holds true to the genres of pop and hip-hop with head-nodding breakbeats and hypnotizing bass lines that are the foundation of The Fey’s records. “Growing up, my father loaded the house with gospel and soul albums,” says Watkins, “but it was the culture of hip-hop that pulled me under its wing outside of the home. It was the best of both worlds.” Those classic soul and gospel tunes are where Watkins gives vocal credit. The Fey’s gripping connection between soulful-bluesy vox and modern-vintage instrumental continues to entice music enthusiasts of all sorts. With singles like “Contender” and “Tear It Off”, the band fervidly builds the strong rhythm section and surrounds Watkins’ expressive melodies with classic tones of guitar and synth, giving The Fey an edgy “rock star” aura. These anthem-esque vibes are funky, moody, and heavy, all under one roof. Lyrically, Watkins describes The Fey message as the voice of the underdogs, like “a stray wolf drifted away from the pack, embracing his own path through peaks and valleys.” Though the sensible ebb and flow of Zach’s personal life may set the band’s lyrical tone, The Fey is no underdog to a live performance. Rooted from numerous awards and achievements – six regionally recognized tours, including more than ten unofficial showcases at SXSW, as well as various performances for blog, radio, and television – The Fey has a reputation for rocking the stage. Since the release of their 2018 EP, Strawberry Lemonade, The Fey continues to make strides alongside their Kansas City-based indie record label, The Fey’s debut full-length LP, Palm Tree Shade, is to be released.

Nathan Reusch, Thanks for being with us on WMM.

10:45

10. The Fey – “Tear It Off (Radio Edit)”
from: Tear It Off- Single / The Record Machine / August 7, 2020
[New single that follows their last single, “Lost In My Head” released August 2, 2019, that followed the band’s July 13, 2018 EP Strawberry Lemonade. The Fey is a Rock/Soul sextet based in Lincoln, Nebraska. The band has created 3 EP’s under the alias “AZP”, but have recently made a name change to, The Fey. Charles Hull, Founder and Managing Director, Silver Street Records writes, The Fey is: Zach Watkins on lead/backup vocals, keys, percussion; Ishma Valenti on rap vocals; Trey Shotkoske on drums; Michael Rogers on guitars; John Fucinaro on bass, and Ludwing Siebenhor. Additional Backup vocals by Jasmin Ondap and Aly Millanes. Engineered and mixed by James Fleege at Silver Street. Mastered by Doug Van Sloun at Focus Mastering. Produced by Zach Watkins and James Fleege at Silver Street. Album art by Zach Watkins]

[The Fey play Lemonad(e) Park, 1628 Wyoming (NW corner of Wyoming & 17th St.), behind Voltaire, on Friday, August 14, at 7:00 PM, with Black Light Animals, and The Freedom Affair. More info at http://www.therecordmachine.co]

Betse & Clarke

11. Betse & Clarke – “Who By Fire”
from: Winter / Betse & Clarke / June 4, 2020
[A collection of songs and tunes, original, traditional, fiddle, and modern songs re-envisioned. This recording was compiled during winter 2020, with a feeling of introspection. Songs under copyright were properly licensed for this digital release. Regular folks, exceptional music: This duo from the heartland (Kansas City, Missouri) has its roots in Ozark old time music, honoring traditional songs and tunes that resonate with human experience. New compositions add compelling elements to their musical tapestry. Follow up to the duo’s 2017 release, Tunes We Like released only in analog on cassette. Betse & Clarke are a traditional and future folk duo with Betse Ellis on fiddles, violins, viola & vocals and Clarke Wyatt on banjos, guitar, cello, multi-instruments. Betse & Clarke have played and toured around the world. Individually their musical roots go deep in the KC music scene. Clarke Wyatt is a founding member of Mr. Marco’s V7, and Betse Ellis is a founding member of The Wilders. Last year Betse & Clarke released ”River Still Rise,” originals and reworked traditional compositions presented “to be enjoyed as a musical adventure, much like the river exploration of the famous duo Lewis & Clark, an inspiration for the band’s name.” http://www.betseandclarke.com]

12. Jamila Woods – “SULA (Paperback)”
from: SULA (Paperback) – Single! / Jagjaguwar / August 6, 2020
[Woods has released a new song written under the premise of her 2019 album Legacy Legacy, this time inspired by the late Toni Morrison. “SULA (Paperback)” is based on Morrison’s 1974 novel of the same name, and honors both the author and her literary characters. Listen to it below. In a press release, Jamila Woods stated: “Sula was the first Toni Morisson novel I ever read and it inspired the first chapbook of poems I ever wrote. The novel shows the evolution of a friendship between two Black women and how they choose to navigate society’s strict gender roles and rules of respectability. On Sula, Toni Morrison wrote, “Living totally by the law and surrendering totally to it without questioning anything sometimes makes it impossible to know anything about yourself.” Last year Jamila Woods released her second album Legacy Legacy on May 10, 2019. and it was part of WMM 119 Best Recordings of 2019. From Pitchfork: “On LEGACY! LEGACY!, Woods celebrates 12 of her heroes, along with the cultural lineage they have created for her. Each track is named after a forebear, like a single lit candle to their altar. Several are immediately recognizable in their pop-culture ubiquity, including “EARTHA,” “BASQUIAT,” and “MILES.” Others are less known: “GIOVANNI” and “SONIA” nod to the poets Nikki Giovanni and Sonia Sanchez, who’ve written grandly and compassionately about women of color. For many tracks, Woods pored over past interviews with her subjects to further get into their minds; in some cases, they were artists she’s taught to her mentees at the literacy nonprofit Young Chicago Authors, where she is the Associate Artistic Director. (Ever the teacher, she is including a bibliography of her research in the album’s liner notes.)” from Jamila Woods who was born October 6, 1989, and is a Chicago-based American singer, songwriter and poet. Woods is a graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep and Brown University, where she received a BA in Africana Studies and Theater & Performance Studies. Her work focuses on themes of Black ancestry, Black feminism, and Black identity, with recurring emphases on self-love and the City of Chicago. In 2012, Jamila Woods published her first chapbook, entitled The Truth About Dolls. Her work can be found in the anthologies The Breakbeat Poets: New American Poetry in the Age of Hip-Hop (2015), Courage: Daring Poems for Gutsy Girls (2014), and The UnCommon Core: Contemporary Poems for Learning & Living (2013). Her influences include Lucille Clifton, Gwendolyn Brooks, Toni Morrison, and Frida Kahlo. Woods was also one of three editors of The Breakbeat Poets Volume II, entitled Black Girl Magic. The 2018 publication is an anthology of poetry by contemporary Black women, “exploring themes of beauty, unapologetic blackness, intersectionality, self-definition, and more.” Woods is the Associate Artistic Director of Young Chicago Authors (YCA), an organization in the Chicago dedicated to uplifting youth voices through arts education and mentorship. Through YCA, Woods helps to organize Louder Than a Bomb, the world’s largest youth poetry slam festival. She also facilitates poetry workshops and creates curriculum for Chicago Public Schools. She is widely known for her collaborative works with Chance the Rapper on the hit song “Sunday Candy” from the album Surf as well as “Blessings” from Coloring Book. Woods is also featured on the Macklemore & Ryan Lewis song “White Privilege II”. In January 2016, Woods signed to Chicago’s independent hip-hop label, Closed Sessions. Jamila released her debut album HEAVN on July 11, 2016 to critical acclaim. The album features collaborations with Chance the Rapper, Noname, Saba, Lorine Chia, Kweku Collins and Donnie Trumpet.]

13. Duncan Burnett – “You Agree?”
from: One of Those Days – EP / R.I.O.T LLC / April 10, 2020
[Olathe, KS based hip hop artist, singer, songwriter, producer, musician, drummer. From Tim Finn’s Back To Rockville(KC Star) Blog Sept. 9, 2015 – When he settled on hip-hop as his music genre, Duncan Burnett had two missions in mind: Keep the messages positive. “I’m big on spirituality and being a positive influence,” he said. “When I started, my goal was to have my nieces and nephews be able to listen to their uncle’s music and love it and be able to repeat every line and lyric but also to have people my age relate to it.” His second mission was to provide live music during his performances. Burnett has been performing live since he was 7. Live music, he said, is in his blood. Follow up to his 2018 EP The Almighty.]

11:00 – Station ID

Calvin Arsenia

14. Calvin Arsenia – “Dying”
from: L.A. Sessions / Center Cut Records / September 20, 2019
[Produced by Tony Braunagel with Paul Brown on guitar, Mike Finnigan on keyboards, Freddie Washington on bass, and David Garfield on piano. Between them, the five musicians have worked with some of music’s most iconic names: Jimi Hendrix, George Benson, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Leonard Cohen, Bonnie Raitt, Chuck Loeb, Rickie Lee Jones, Buddy Guy, The Neville Brothers. “It was a thrill for me to work with such legendary players,” says Calvin. “Not only were they incredibly talented, but I got off a plane straight from Australia, hit the studio, and they were more than ready to get to that place where you honor the songs, leaving their egos at the door and honoring what the muses tell them. It was one of the best recording experiences I ever had.” Calvin’s production M.O. on previous recordings was to piece together songs “like pieces of a puzzle” and “layer them over several sessions.” Born in Orlando, Florida, Calvin’s creative journey really began when he moved to the KC suburb of Olathe, teaching himself the guitar, and eventually the harp. He learned his signature instrument at the age of 20 after he couldn’t find a harpist as determined as him to meld folk, rock, classical, rap and R&B into the irresistible fusion which has become his calling card in KC and beyond. His passion for stretching the boundaries of musical expression saw him transform a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland’s Fringe Festival early in his career into a life-changing music mission, with an Edinburgh church offering him a role as musical liaison between the church and the city that would change his life. Two years and 300 shows later, Calvin returned to Kansas City reborn as a humanistic songwriter / performer whose impassioned and conceptual stage shows (regularly sold-out in Kansas City, currently catching fire on the West Coast with a diverse following across Europe), are collaborative, costumed-culture-bridging spectacles which In KC Magazine has hailed as ‘equal parts opera, symphony, musical theatre, rock show, all built around its creator: a charismatic 6-foot-6-inch harpist with a natural stage command and knack for gilding gold and painting lilies.’ Calvin’s 2018 national debut, Cantaloupe, September 15, 2018 on Center Cut Records, has been acclaimed for melding diverse textures into an alluring signature sound for the adventurous artist. On June 28, 2019 Calvin released Honeydew, an EP including a remix of three songs from Cantaloupe. On December 13, 2019 Clvin released his full length Christmas album “all is calm.”]

[Calvin Arsenia who plays a Live Stream Event, Friday, August 14, 2020 at 8:30 PM, presented in partnership with Carlsen Center Presents and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.]

Calvin Arsenia

11:04 – Interview with Calvin Arsenia

Since 2014 WMM has celebrated Calvin Arsenia who came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland. His EPs: Moments, Prose, Catastrophe, Caviar, and full length, Catastrophe led to his signing with Center Cut Records where he released the album Cantaloupe in 2018, and L.A. Sessions in 2019. Calvin released an EP of remixes, Honey Dew, an EP with Quixotic, and the holiday album, All Is Calm, also in 2019. Voted KC’s Best Musician in 2018 and 2019 in The Pitch, and featured on Billboard, NPR.org, NEWNOWNEXT, Pride.com, and GRAMMY.com, Arsenia’s classically trained voice, visually striking 6-foot-6 presence, and deft harp playing have built his reputation as a live performer. Arsenia believes the art comes from crafting the perfect moment, organically unfolding with beauty, surprise, and something for all of the senses. More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com

Calvin Arsenia plays a Live Stream Event, Fri, August 14, 2020 at 8:30 PM, presented in partnership with Carlsen Center Presents and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.

Calvin Arsenia plays a Center Cut Records Showcase at Lemonad(e) Park, 1628 Wyoming (NW corner of Wyoming & 17th St.), behind Voltaire, on Saturday, August 29, at 7:00 PM, with The Black Creatures. More info at: http://www.centercutrecords.com

Calvin Arsenia, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Born in Orlando, Florida, his creative journey really began when he moved to the KC suburb of Olathe, teaching himself the guitar, and eventually the harp. He learned his signature instrument at the age of 20 after he couldn’t find a harpist as determined as him to meld folk, rock, classical, rap and R&B into the irresistible fusion which has become his calling card in the Kansas City music scene and beyond.

His passion for stretching the boundaries of musical expression saw him transform a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland’s Fringe Festival early in his career into a life-changing music mission, with an Edinburgh church offering him a role as musical liaison between the church and the city that would change his life.

Two years and 300 shows later, Calvin returned to Kansas City reborn as a humanistic songwriter/performer whose impassioned and conceptual stage shows (regularly sold-out in Kansas City, currently catching fire on the West Coast with a diverse following across Europe), are collaborative, costumed-culture-bridging spectacles which In KC Magazine has hailed as ‘equal parts opera, symphony, musical theatre, rock show, all built around its creator: a charismatic 6-foot-7-inch harpist with a natural stage command and knack for gilding gold and painting lilies.’

Calvin’s 2018 national debut, Cantaloupe (Center Cut Records), has been acclaimed for melding diverse textures into an alluring signature sound for the adventurous artist. Calvin performed live at L.A.’s The Mint, showcasing the songs on LA Sessions with the musicians who collaborated with him on the album. Says Calvin: “It’s such a special experience to play with them. To be able to perform these songs in front of an audience and do this for a living – to have made a career out of something I love is so amazing – it is an honor that I never take for granted.”

On September 15, 2018 Calvin released Cantaloupe on Center Cut Records.

Calvin released L.A. Sessions September 20, 2019 on Center Cut Records

Calvin Arsenia – Honeydew / Center Cut Records / June 28, 2019
[On September 15, 2018 Calvin released Cantaloupe on Center Cut Records. This new EP is a remix of three of the songs from Cantaloupe, plus a Talking Heads cover that was performed live in this style at a New Year’s Eve show at The Truman opening for Making Movies who performed the entire Talking Heads album, Remain in Light. The last three songs on Honeydew were from performed in this style at The Nelson Atkins 2019 event “Party Arty.” Honeydew was produced by Jametatone, Simon Huntley, Calvin Arsenia.

Quixotic & Calvin Arsenia – “Goddess – EP / Quixotic / May 17, 2019
[An innovative performance art collective that fuses imagination with technology, dance, projection, mapping and live music to create fully-immersive, multi-sensory experiences. Quixotic harnesses light, rhythm and expressive emotion. Quixotic was given Silicon Valley’s unofficial stamp of genius when they were invited to perform at the global TED Conference in 2012. A unique blend of performance art, technology and emotion. Quixotic fuses all these elements in to what the New York Times branded an “innovative circus performance,” and Men’s Journal declared “one of the best contemporary [cirque] acts.” They have performed for audiences worldwide and have helped launch brand products for companies such as BVLGARI, Faena Hotels, Garmin, HP, Smithsonian and Toyota. Quixotic harnesses light, rhythm and expressive emotion.] [Quixotic presents Sensatia, Cirque Cabaret, through Dec. 28 at 2450 Grand Blvd, 301 Kansas City

Calvin Arsenia – all is calm / Calvin Arsenia. / December 13, 2019
[Arsenia’s dreamlike whimsy shimmering through your favorite Christmas Classics. All proceeds for this album go towards the purchase of Calvin’s first harp. Featuring: Ben Muñoz on Cello, Shane Borth on Violin and Voila, and Luke “Skippy” Harbur on Beatbox. Mastered by Jametatone at the Infoaming Vertex and special thanks to Simon Huntley. Calvin wrote: “I recorded the majority of this album in my bedroom in between flights to and from KC and SF. I had my nephews and friend’s kids in mind and wanted an album of Christmas lullabys. I think it became just a little more sassy than anticipated, but I think you’ll enjoy it regardless.

Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, playing piano, banjo, guitar & harp. Calvin has played Folk Alliance Int., KC Fringe Fest, Apocalypse Meow, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. Last year he undertook a three month US/European Outlyre Tour playing San Francisco,Vancouver, NYC, Boston, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerland and Paris.

A slice of Calvin’s Shows from 2019 to 2020…

[Calvin Arsenia played Tristian Griffin’s Palimpsest, Thur, June 13 at 7:00 PM & Fri, June 14 at 11:00 PM at Capsule, Charlotte Street Foundation’s new multi-room installation event space, 1664 Broadway Blvd, KCMO. the collaborative multi-media interactive art performance, features award-winning poet Glenn North, and original music by Calvin Arsenia and Pheenix Leeor]

[Calvin Arsenia appeared with The Mike Dillon Band opening for Rickie Lee Jones, Sun, June 16, at Crossroads KC, 417 E. 18th St, KCMO, 8:00 PM. Mike Dillon co-produced R.L.J. new KICKS.]

[Calvin Arsenia played INTER Relation>ship w/ Jade Osborne, Wed, June 19, 7:00 PM at Washington Square Park, 100 E. Pershing Rd, KCMO.]

[Calvin Arsenia played Briarfest, June 21, at Briar Cliff, 4100 N Mulberry Dr, KCMO.]

[Calvin played Crossroads Fashion Show]

[Calvin Arsenia played Bad in Bed LIVE Aug 22 – Aug 24, 8:00 PM at recordBar]

[Calvin Arsenia played The Sextet Album Release for Among Friends, Sept 15, at recordBar]

[Calvin Arsenia played Home for the Holidays with Calvin Arsenia & Friends Friday, December 13, at 7:00 PM, at Second Presbyterian, 318 E 55th St]

[Calvin Arsenia played Center Cut Records Holiday Party, Wednesday, December 18, at 7:00 recordBar with Fritz Hutchison, and The Black Creatures.]

[Calvin Arsenia played a New Year’s Eve show at Crossroads Hotel 2101 Central St., KCMO., Tuesday, December 31, at 9:00 PM with Quixotic, and DJ Marvin Gardens & DJ House of Dante.]

[Calvin Arsenia played Olathe Indian Creek Library, Olathe, KS, on Sunday, January 5.]

[Calvin Arsenia opened for Krystle Warren & The Faculty LIVE at Rough Trade NYC, 64 N 9th St, New York, New York, Saturday, Jan 10, 2020 at 8:00 PM.]

[Calvin Arsenia played Woody Guthrie Center, Oklahoma, February 21, 2020]

[Calvin Arsenia played Carpenter Square Theater, on Oklahoma City, February 23, 2020]

All of these shows ended in March at COVID-19 Quarantine began and music venues closed down. Calvin spent the first 2 months of Quarantine doing banjo and ukulele classes, live streaming shows, visual zoom gatherings.

Calvin Arsenia

We are talking with Calvin Arsenia who plays a Live Stream Event, Friday, August 14, 2020 at 8:30 PM, presented in partnership with Carlsen Center Presents and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.

Calvin Arsenia plays a Center Cut Records Showcase at Lemonad(e) Park, 1628 Wyoming (NW corner of Wyoming & 17th St.), behind Voltaire, on Saturday, August 29, at 7:00 PM, with The Black Creatures. More info at: http://www.centercutrecords.com

The Black Lives Matter Movement has had a great effect on Calvin Arsenia.

Calvin’s great, great, great grandmother Alice Gilliam Scott, was former slave who observed her 100th birthday.

11:14

15. Calvin Arsenia – “Revelation”
from: “Revelation” – Single / Calvin Arsenia / August 12, 2020 (Un-released) New Song

Congratulations to Calvin and his fantastic team of co-conspirators and creators: Khitam Jabr, John P. Beatty, Ignacio Galarza III, Ashlee Fairchild Jones, production assistants, and crew. The Toxic music video earned its sixth set of laurels as an official selection of the L.A. Music Video Awards, where they were nominated for Best Music Video, Best Cover Song and Best Male Vocalist.

In 2020 Calvin was able to purchase a new harp

Calvin Arsenia will be participating in The West 18th Street Fashion Show’s 20th year as i a feature-length film. “We are moving it from the street to the screen,” says Peregrin Honig to inkansascitymagazine. “Mike Dillon and Calvin Arsenia will be scoring and performing in the film.” The evening of October 16th at The Boulevard Drive-In will be the debut of the director’s cut of “Summer in Hindsight,” which Peregrine is currently working on with Justin Gardner,” Honig says. “We did this during a pandemic and a cultural revolution. I am not sure where else or how else this could happen at this moment in history.”

Calvin Arsenia, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

11:25

16. Calvin Arsenia – “River”
from: all is calm / Calvin Arsenia. / December 13, 2019
[Step into Arsenia’s dreamlike whimsy shimmering through your favorite Christmas Classics. All proceeds for this album go towards the purchase of Calvin’s first harp. Featuring: Ben Muñoz on Cello, Shane Borth on Violin and Voila, and Luke “Skippy” Harbur on Beatbox. Mastered by Jametatone at the Infoaming Vertex and special thanks to Simon Huntley. Calvin wrote: “I recorded the majority of this album in my bedroom in between flights to and from Kansas City and SF. I had my nephews and friend’s kids in mind and wanted an album of Christmas lullabys. I think it became just a little more sassy than i had anticipated but I think you’ll enjoy it regardless. Most of you may not know that I actually do not own a harp. 😮The ones you’ve seen me play over the past ten years have all been on loan. Donations for this album will go towards the purchase of my very own orchestral harp.”

[Calvin Arsenia plays a Live Stream Event, Friday, August 14, 2020 at 8:30 PM, presented in partnership with Carlsen Center Presents and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.]

[Calvin Arsenia plays a Center Cut Records Showcase at Lemonad(e) Park, 1628 Wyoming (NW corner of Wyoming & 17th St.), behind Voltaire, on Saturday, August 29, at 7:00 PM, with The Black Creatures. More info at: http://www.centercutrecords.com]

11:30 – Underwriting

17. Cuee – “Shook (2020 Remix)”
from: Shameless / Cuee / November 23, 2018
[Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Cuee is a 27 year old Lawrence based hip-hop artist emcee, and educator. In the last 5 years Cuee has wowed audiences for his critically acclaimed releases and live performances. His fan favorites include Shook, Blessed, and Feeling Lucky from Cuee’s 2018 album, Shameless. Cuee is currently working to release an new album titled, “Gospel.” Cuee received his Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. Cuee is also a recently graduate of Artist Inc. ]

[Cuee plays Greenline Grows KC-Benefit for The Greenline Initiative, Fri, Aug. 28, 7:00 PM, streams LIVE on Facebook & YouTube with: Radkey, The Greeting Committee, Khrystal., Danny Cox & Bob Walkenhorst, Cuee, Enrique Javier Chi of Making Movies w/ Las Hermanas Altoro, Stephonne, Krystle Warren, They Call Me Sauce, The Phantastics and more!]

Cuee

11:36 – Interview with Cuee

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, in the last five years 27 year old Lawrence based hip-hop artist Cuee has wowed audiences in Lawrence and KC with his critically acclaimed musical releases and live performances. Cuee exhibits an energetic and fun, yet smooth and motivational edge to his style of music. Drawing major influence from hip-hop artists such as Jay Z, Kanye West and Chance The Rapper, one could see why his storytelling essence fuses with harmonic flows. His fan favorites include Shook, Blessed, and Feeling Lucky from Cuee’s 2018 album, Shameless. Cuee is currently working to release a new album titled, “Gospel.” Cuee received his Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. Cuee is also a graduate of Artist Inc.

Cuee Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Cuee plays, Greenline Grows KC – Benefit for The Greenline Initiative, August 28, 7:00 PM, streaming LIVE on Facebook & YouTube with performances by: Radkey, The Greeting Committee, Khrystal., Danny Cox & Bob Walkenhorst, Cuee, Enrique Javier Chi of Making Movies with Las Hermanas Altor, Stephonne Singleton, Krystle Warren, They Call Me Sauce, and The Phantastics. The evening will be centered around Black stories & voices, highlighting Black excellence in KC, and will also include non-Black performers & leaders who will speak on privilege, solidarity, and the importance of our black community members. The Greenline Initiative is a Black family-owned organization that uses crowdsourcing to help historically marginalized and low income populations buy and renovate the houses they rent. Based in KC’s 3rd District, the initiative builds permanent community. http://www.thegreenlineinitiative.com

Cuee is Mar’quis Wright

On August 4 Cuee announced on Facebook that “the judge approved (his) name change order…It’s official y’all…Mar‘Quis or ‘Quis for short (Kiese)”

27 year old Lawrence based hip-hop artist emcee, and educator. Cuee has gained fans over the last five years in Lawrence and Kansas City for his critically acclaimed musical releases and live performances.

On November 28, 2018 Cuee released the 10-track album Shameless.

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, where Cuee’s father still lives.

Cuee received his Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas where Cuee worked as a graduate assistant.

Cuee is also a recently graduate of Artist Inc.

Cuee has a passionate drive for everything hip-hop. Drawing major influence from hip-hop artists such as Jay Z, Kanye West and Chance The Rapper,

Cuee is currently working to release a new album titled, “Gospel.”

Follow Cuee @cueemusic everywhere | http://www.officialcuee.com .
IG: @cueemusic
Twitter: @cueemusic
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/cueemusic

CUEE Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

11:48

18. Cuee – “Who’s Back”
from: Who’s Back – Single / Cuee / August 12, 2020
[Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Cuee is a 27 year old Lawrence based hip-hop artist emcee, and educator. In the last 5 years Cuee has wowed audiences in Lawrence and KC for his critically acclaimed musical releases and live performances. Cuee exhibits an energetic and fun, yet smooth and motivational edge to his style of music. Drawing major influence from hip-hop artists such as Jay Z, Kanye West and Chance The Rapper, one could see why his storytelling essence fuses with harmonic flows. His fan favorites include Shook, Blessed, and Feeling Lucky from Cuee’s 2018 album, Shameless. Cuee is currently working to release an new album titled, “Gospel.”Cuee received his Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. Cuee is also a recently graduate of Artist Inc. ]

[Cuee plays Greenline Grows KC-Benefit for The Greenline Initiative, Fri, Aug. 28, 7:00 PM, streams LIVE on Facebook & YouTube with: Radkey, The Greeting Committee, Khrystal., Danny Cox & Bob Walkenhorst, Cuee, Enrique Javier Chi of Making Movies w/ Las Hermanas Altoro, Stephonne, Krystle Warren, They Call Me Sauce, The Phantastics and more!]

Black Light Animals “Playboys of The Western World”

19. Black Light Animals – “Halo”
from: Playboys of The Western World / Groove King Records / July 3, 2020
[Formed from the ashes of their last band, Instant Karma the new record contains lush pop vocals crooned over spaghetti western riffs, psychedelic synth, and hip hop drums. Playboys of the Western World is a sprawling, decadent examination of what it means to be a human being through the lens of horror movie organs, spaghetti western guitars, hip hop grooves, psychedelic sojourns, and ballads crooned to lovers in the night. Members include: Cole Bales on vocals & guitar, Cody Calhoun on guitar, Branden Moser on bass, and Zach Harris on drums. More info at: http://www.blacklightanimalsband.bandcamp.com]

[Black Light Animals play Lemonad(e) Park, 1628 Wyoming (NW corner of Wyoming & 17th St.), behind Voltaire, on Friday, August 14, at 7:00 PM, with The Fey, and The Freedom Affair. More info at http://www.therecordmachine.co]

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

11:58 – ArtsKCGo – Arts Calendar

Next week on Wednesday, August 19, Nico Gray joins us as Guest Producer.

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

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

Black Lives Matter

Show #850

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WMM presents: Calvin Arsenia + Cuee + Nathan Reusch

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

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Calvin Arsenia + Cuee + Greenline Grows KC
+ Nathan Reusch + New & MidCoastal Releases

Mark plays New & MidCoastal Releases from: Kemet Coleman, Calvin Arsenia, Scott Hrabko & The Rabbits, Cuee, The Fey, Black Light Animals, Mikal Shapiro & The Musical, Gemini Revolution, Krystle Warren and The Faculty, Betse & Clarke, Soultru, Kris Delmhorst, The Indigo Girls, and Jamila Woods.

Nathan Reusch

At 10:30 Nathan Reusch shares the new single from The Fey. The Fey play Lemonad(e) Park, 1628 Wyoming (NW corner of Wyoming & 17th St.), behind Voltaire, on Friday, August 14, at 7:00 PM, with Black Light Animals, and The Freedom Affair. Nathan Reusch is founder of The Record Machine, a homegrown record label started in 2003. Originally created to promote music from Kansas City & Lawrence, TRM has grown to turnout records from bands all across the country. Nathan is also co-founder & curator of the Middle of The Map Fest, and Sound Machine KC. More info at http://www.therecordmachine.co

Calvin Arsenia

At 11:00 Mark talks with Calvin Arsenia who plays a Live Stream Event, Friday, August 14, 2020 at 8:30 PM, presented in partnership with Carlsen Center Presents and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. Since 2014 WMM has celebrated Calvin Arsenia who came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland. His EPs: Moments, Prose, Catastrophe, Caviar, and full length, Catastrophe led to his signing with Center Cut Records where he released the album Cantaloupe in 2018, and L.A. Sessions in 2019. Calvin released an EP of remixes, Honey Dew, an EP with Quixotic, and the holiday album, All Is Calm, also in 2019. Voted KC’s Best Musician in 2018 and 2019 in The Pitch, and featured on Billboard, NPR.org, NEWNOWNEXT, Pride.com, and GRAMMY.com, Arsenia’s classically trained voice, visually striking 6-foot-6 presence, and deft harp playing have built his reputation as a live performer. Arsenia believes the art comes from crafting the perfect moment, organically unfolding with beauty, surprise, and something for all of the senses. More info at http://www.calvinarsenia.com

Cuee

At 11:30 Mark talks with Cuee, 27 year old Lawrence based hip-hop artist emcee, originally from Chicago, Illinois. In the last five years Cuee has wowed audiences in Lawrence and KC with his critically acclaimed musical releases and live performances. Cuee exhibits an energetic and fun, yet smooth and motivational edge to his style of music. Drawing major influence from hip-hop artists such as Jay Z, Kanye West and Chance The Rapper, one could see why his storytelling essence fuses with harmonic flows. His fan favorites include Shook, Blessed, and Feeling Lucky from Cuee’s 2018 album, Shameless. Cuee is currently working to release a new album titled, “Gospel.” Cuee received his Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. Cuee is also a graduate of Artist Inc.

Cuee plays, Greenline Grows KC – Benefit for The Greenline Initiative, August 28, 7:00 PM, streaming LIVE on Facebook & YouTube with performances by: Radkey, The Greeting Committee, Khrystal., Danny Cox & Bob Walkenhorst, Cuee, Enrique Javier Chi of Making Movies with Las Hermanas Altor, Stephonne Singleton, Krystle Warren, They Call Me Sauce, and The Phantastics. The evening will be centered around Black stories & voices, highlighting Black excellence in KC, and will also include non-Black performers & leaders who will speak on privilege, solidarity, and the importance of our black community members. The Greenline Initiative is a Black family-owned organization that uses crowdsourcing to help historically marginalized and low income populations buy and renovate the houses they rent. Based in KC’s 3rd District, the initiative builds permanent community. http://www.thegreenlineinitiative.com

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

Show #850

WMM Playlist from July 22, 2020

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, July 22, 2020

Kansas City Syzygy + New & MidCoastal Releases

BLM cover art by Chicago-based Nigerian American illustrator, Unimuke Agada / Courtesy French Exit Records

Today’s show features tracks from French Exit Records – Black Lives Matter Compilation, of 22 acts from the area, with 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.

And from: Kansas City Syzygy, a compilation of 19 songs created during the quarantine of 2020 with proceeds donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, & truly affordable home.

1. “It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
[WMM’s theme]

2. Palace Intrigue – “Recurring feat. Wennely Q”
from: Black Lives Matter Compilation / French Exit Records / July 6, 2020
[3-piece Kansas City based band, who write: “we believe in love, no race, no religion, no color, no hate…no genre. We make music for everyone.” Over the past two years the band has created and recorded 40 songs that are all posted on their SoundCloud page: https://soundcloud.com/user-870661143 . . French Exit Records launched two years ago and is an independent music label based out of Kansas City, Missouri founded by Brad Girard. French Exit Records has released albums for No Magic and Raymond, and has organized live events. The Black Lives Matter Compilation is available on French Exit Record’s Bandcamp page: https://frenchexitrecords.bandcamp.com/album/black-lives-matter-compilation. Black Lives Matter Comp is 22 acts from the area, with 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.]

3. Julianna Barwick – “Healing Is A Miracle”
from: Healing Is A Miracle / Ninja Tune / July 10, 2020
[From her BandCamp page: “Healing Is A Miracle” is a record built on improvisation and a close affinity to a couple of trusted items of gear, from which she spins engrossing, expansive universes. Additionally, Barwick draws on the input of three collaborators with whom she has nurtured deep friendships with over the years: Jónsi (Sigur Rós), Nosaj Thing and Mary Lattimore; who each gently nudge out at the edges of her organically-evolved sound. // Recorded in the wake of a seismic shift in her life following a move from New York—where she had lived for 16 years—to L.A. where she is now based, the title of the record came to her after thinking about how the human body heals itself, of the miraculous processes we pay little attention to: “You cut your hand, it looks pretty bad, and two weeks later it looks like it never happened… That’s kind of amazing, you know?” It’s a sentiment that feels particularly apt for the moment. From there, she conceived of the record’s simple statement title, ran it past a couple of friends, and it was settled. Like with the record itself, and all of her work, it’s about following her gut, and seeing where it takes her. // “Healing Is A Miracle” began life in spring of last year, when Barwick sat down with her vocal looping set-up and began sketching out some ideas for new solo material. “It had been so long since I had done that,” she recalls, “making something for myself, just for the love of it… it was emotional, because I was recording music that was just from the heart, that wasn’t for an ‘assignment’ or project… it brought me to tears a little”. // Part of the joy also came from a small but significant switch up to her recording process: the addition of some studio monitors—a birthday gift from Jónsi and Alex (Somers)—having previously recorded all of her music on headphones. “The first song I remember making with those was the first song on the album, Inspirit.” she explains, “When I added the bass I really felt it in my body, you know, in a way you just wouldn’t with headphones… it was kind of euphoric and fun. I got really excited about making the record in that moment, and I think that really had an impact on the sounds I ended up making.” // Excitement too came from the chance to work with three dream collaborators. Her connection to Jónsi began via producer Alex Somers, when Barwick flew to Reykjavík to record some sessions with him for her 2013 record “Nepenthe”, a trip which would begin a long-standing affinity with Iceland and the people she connected with there. “I think he has the best voice in the world,” she says, “and hearing my voice with Jonsi’s is one of the joys of my life.” Nosaj Thing—the highly respected electronic producer and stalwart of the LA scene who has worked with the likes of Kendric Lamar—had gotten in touch to express his affection for her 2011 album “The Magic Place”, and they’d since been trying to find a way to work together. Barwick and Lattimore had struck up a friendship over many years performing live together, and had moved to LA around the same time. Finding herself in the same city as all three for the first time, it felt natural to include them in her process, and added to the feeling of newness, support and friendship she had while producing the record. // Beyond her records, Barwick’s impressive live shows have gained incredible praise over the years from the likes of The Guardian—who described her performance as “exquisite in its eloquence, reflection and compassion” —The New York Times, NPR, and more. She has also supported and performed with Bon Iver, Grouper, Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Rós, Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen, Perfume Genius, Mas Ysa, and Nat Baldwin. // Barwick has additionally been involved in some head-turning collaborations over the years. In 2015 she took part in The Flaming Lips’s Carnegie Hall show, performing music from their reimagining of “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, alongside Phillip Glass, Debbie Harry, Laurie Anderson and Patti Smith. That same year she was invited to play two shows with Yoko Ono, one at MoMA (“my favorite thing ever”) and one in Central Park. In 2012 she released a collaborative album with Helado Negro as OMBRE, and has also released a collaborative single with Rafael Anton Isarri, on the super-limited Thesis label, and most recently, the “Command Synthesis” EP, on RVNG Intl. sub-label Commend There, which employed AI to build five tracks that responded to the airborne environment outside a hotel room. In 2019 she teamed up with Doug Aitken on his nomadic art project, and created stunning performances in the Massachusett wilderness. // The album’s artwork was shot in Iceland by Joel Kazuo Knoernschild and is taken from a series of aerial films shot by drone above the country’s breathtaking coastline, which also make up the video for ‘Inspirit’.]

4. The Black Creatures – “wretched (it goes)”
from: “wretched (it goes)” / 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. Although it is basically the same record, the sound quality is improved. Center Cut Records plan to release the full remastered album on August 28. The Black Creatures are Jade Green & Xavier Martin who will be our guests on the August 26 edition of WMM. “Wild Echoes” was #2 in WMM’s 119 Favorite Releases of 2019 (Albums & EPs). Since the release of ”Wild Echoes” the band has released seven entirely new songs, nearly one per month, all posted to their bandcamp page. The Black Creatures fuse dark-pop hip-hop, soul, jazz, and electronic music with elements from science fiction to tell inter-dimensional stories of love, community, life, culture, history. Xavier & Jade have made an impression in the KC music community with their live shows in clubs, galleries, record stores, and area music festivals. The Black Creatures released their debut single “Mouth 2 Mouth” June 5, 2016. They released the album, See No Evil, December 6, 2017. The duo released the singles, “Elements” February 14, 2018; “Silver Tears” June 19. 2018; “Dare” a Gorillaz cover August 8, 2019. They released the album “Wild Echoes” September 30, 2019. The Black Creatures released the singles “Turn” October 30, 2019; “Quartz (Twilight)” November 13, 2019; “SHINE” December 11, 2019; Ghost Bustin’ Dead Prezidentz” January 8, 2020; “To Whom It May Concern” January 22, 2020; “Arcade Love” February 5, 2020; and “Run Up” February 19, 2020.]

5. Betse & Clarke – “Farewell Trion”
from: Winter / Betse & Clarke / June 4, 2020
[A collection of songs and tunes, including original compositions, traditional songs and fiddle tunes, and modern songs re-envisioned. This recording was compiled during winter 2020, with a feeling of introspection. Songs under copyright were properly licensed for this digital release. Regular folks, exceptional music: This duo from the heartland (Kansas City, Missouri) has its roots in Ozark old time music, honoring traditional songs and tunes that resonate with human experience. New compositions add compelling elements to their musical tapestry. Follow up to the duo’s 2017 release, Tunes We Like released only in analog on cassette. Betse & Clarke are a traditional and future folk duo with Betse Ellis on fiddles, violins, viola & vocals and Clarke Wyatt on banjos, guitar, cello, multi-instruments. Betse & Clarke have played and toured around the world. Individually their musical roots go deep in the KC music scene. Clarke Wyatt is a founding member of Mr. Marco’s V7, and Betse Ellis is a founding member of The Wilders. Last year Betse & Clarke released ”River Still Rise,” originals and reworked traditional compositions presented “to be enjoyed as a musical adventure, much like the river exploration of the famous duo Lewis & Clark, an inspiration for the band’s name.” http://www.betseandclarke.com]

6. Funkadelic – “Can You Get To That”
from: Maggot Brain / Westbound Records / July 12, 1972
[Maggot Brain is the third studio album by the American funk band Funkadelic, released by Westbound Records in July 1971. It was produced by band leader George Clinton and recorded at United Sound Systems in Detroit during late 1970 and early 1971. It was the final album recorded by the original Funkadelic lineup; after its release, original members Tawl Ross, Billy Nelson, and Tiki Fulwood left the band for various reasons. The album charted in the R&B Top 20. Today, it is perhaps best known for its 10-minute title track, performed by guitarist Eddie Hazel. In 2003, Rolling Stone included Maggot Brain on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Pitchfork named it the 17th best album of the 1970s.Funkadelic was an American band formed in Detroit in 1968 and active until 1982. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, pioneered the funk music culture of the 1970s. Relative to its sister act, Funkadelic pursued a heavier, psychedelic rock-oriented sound. They released acclaimed albums such as Maggot Brain (1971) and One Nation Under a Groove (1978). The group that would become Funkadelic was formed by George Clinton in 1964, as the unnamed backing section for his doo wop group The Parliaments[7] while on tour. The band originally consisted of musicians Frankie Boyce, Richard Boyce, and Langston Booth plus the five members of the Parliaments on vocals. Boyce, Boyce, and Booth enlisted in the Army in 1966, and Clinton recruited bassist Billy Bass Nelson and guitarist Eddie Hazel in 1967, then added guitarist Tawl Ross and drummer Tiki Fulwood. The name “Funkadelic” was coined by Nelson after the band relocated to Detroit. By 1968, because of a dispute with Revilot, the record company that owned “The Parliaments” name, the ensemble began playing under the name Funkadelic. // As Funkadelic, the group signed to Westbound in 1968. Around this time, the group’s music evolved from soul and doo wop into a harder guitar-driven mix of psychedelic rock, soul and funk, much influenced by the popular musical (and political) movements of the time. Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone were major inspirations.[9] This style later evolved into a tighter guitar and horns-based funk (circa 1971-75), which subsequently, during the height of Parliament-Funkadelic success (circa 1976-81), added elements of R&B and electronic music, with fewer psychedelic rock elements. The band made their first live television performance on Say Brother in October 7, 1969. They played a jam with songs “Into My Own Thing”, “What Is Soul?”, “(I Wanna) Testify”, “I Was Made to Love Her” (Stevie Wonder cover), “Friday Night, August 14th” and “Music for My Mother”. // The group’s self-titled debut album, Funkadelic, was released in 1970. The credits listed organist Mickey Atkins plus Clinton, Fulwood, Hazel, Nelson, and Ross. The recording also included the rest of the Parliaments singers (still uncredited due to contractual concerns), several uncredited session musicians then employed by Motown, as well as Ray Monette (of Rare Earth) and future P-Funk mainstay Bernie Worrell. // Bernie Worrell was officially credited starting with Funkadelic’s second album, 1970’s Free Your Mind… and Your Ass Will Follow, thus beginning a long working relationship between Worrell and Clinton. The album Maggot Brain followed in 1971. The first three Funkadelic albums displayed strong psychedelic influences (not least in terms of production) and limited commercial potential, despite containing many songs that stayed in the band’s set list for several years and would influence many future funk, rock, and hip hop artists. // After the release of Maggot Brain, the Funkadelic lineup was expanded greatly. Tawl Ross was unavailable after experiencing either a bad LSD trip or a speed overdose, while Billy Bass Nelson and Eddie Hazel quit due to financial concerns. From this point, many more musicians and singers would be added during Funkadelic’s (and Parliament’s) history, including the recruitment of several members of James Brown’s backing band, The JB’s in 1972 – most notably Bootsy Collins and the Horny Horns. Bootsy and his brother Catfish Collins were recruited by Clinton to replace the departed Nelson and Hazel. Bootsy in particular became a major contributor to the P-Funk sound. In 1972, this new line-up released the politically charged double album America Eats Its Young. The lineup stabilized a bit with the album Cosmic Slop in 1973, featuring major contributions from recently added singer-guitarist Garry Shider. After first leaving the band, Eddie Hazel spent a year in jail after assaulting an airline stewardess and air marshal while under the influence of PCP, then he returned to make major contributions to the 1974 album Standing on the Verge of Getting It On. Hazel only contributed to P-Funk sporadically thereafter. // George Clinton revived Parliament in 1974 and signed that act to Casablanca Records. Parliament and Funkadelic featured mostly the same stable of personnel but operated concurrently under two names. At first, Parliament was designated as a more mainstream funk ensemble dominated by soulful vocals and horn arrangements, while Funkadelic was designated as a more experimental and freestyle guitar-based funk band. The ensemble usually toured under the combined name Parliament-Funkadelic or simply P-Funk (which also became the catch-all term for George Clinton’s rapidly growing stable of funk artists). // in 1975 Michael Hampton, a teen guitar prodigy, replaced Hazel as the premier lead guitarist in Parliament-Funkadelic, and was a major contributor to the next several Funkadelic albums. Funkadelic left Westbound in 1976 and moved to Warner Brothers. Their first album for Warner was Hardcore Jollies in 1976. Just before leaving Westbound, Clinton provided that label with a collection of recently recorded outtakes, which Westbound released as the album Tales of Kidd Funkadelic. That album did significantly better commercially than Hardcore Jollies and included “Undisco Kidd”, an R&B Top 30 single. In 1977, Westbound capitalized further by releasing the anthology The Best of the Early Years.// As Parliament began achieving significant mainstream success in the 1975-1978 period, Funkadelic recorded and released its most successful and influential album, One Nation Under a Groove in 1978, adding former Ohio Players keyboardist Walter “Junie” Morrison and reflecting a more melodic dance-based sound. The title track spent six weeks at #1 on the R&B charts, around the time that Parliament was enjoying the #1 R&B singles “Flash Light” and “Aqua Boogie”. Uncle Jam Wants You in 1979 continued Funkadelic’s new more electronic sound production. The album contains the fifteen-minute “(Not Just) Knee Deep” featuring former Spinners lead singer Philippé Wynne, an edited version of which topped the R&B charts. The final official Funkadelic album, The Electric Spanking of War Babies, was released in 1981. The release was originally a double-album project, but it was reduced to a single disc under pressure from Warner Brothers. Some of the deleted tracks would appear on future P-Funk releases, most notably the 1982 hit single “Atomic Dog” which appeared on the first George Clinton solo album. // Meanwhile, the album Connections & Disconnections (re-issued on CD as Who’s a Funkadelic) was released under the name Funkadelic in 1981. The album was recorded by former Funkadelic members and original Parliaments Fuzzy Haskins, Calvin Simon, and Grady Thomas, who had left P-Funk in 1977 after disagreements with George Clinton’s management practices. This LP, notable for its heavy use of Thomas “Pae-dog” McEvoy’s jazz horn, contains the track called “You’ll Like It Too”, which came a very popular breakbeat source for the Hip hop community in the 80s. Former band member, drummer Jerome Brailey, released the album Mutiny on the Mamaship, by his new band Mutiny. // In the early 1980s, with legal difficulties arising from the multiple names used by multiple groups, as well as a shakeup at Parliament’s record label, George Clinton dissolved Parliament and Funkadelic as recording and touring entities. However, many of the musicians in later versions of the two groups remained employed by Clinton. Clinton continued to release new albums regularly, sometimes under his own name and sometimes under the name George Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars. In the mid-1980s, the last Funkadelic album By Way Of The Drum was recorded by Clinton with P-Funk personnel and many electronic devices. The album was rejected by its record label and did not see official release in America until it appeared as a reissue in 2007. It features a cover of “Sunshine Of Your Love” by Cream. The album did not receive any publicity, but still received favorable reviews. // Clinton continued his P-Funk collective in the 1990s and 2000s, with a revolving stable of musicians, some of whom remain from the classic lineups of Funkadelic and Parliament. The rock-oriented sound of Funkadelic has diminished, as Clinton has moved towards more of an R&B and hip hop sound. In 1997 the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.]

7. LyMerrick – “Runaway”
from: Black Lives Matter Compilation / French Exit Records / July 6, 2020
[“Lay Me Down” was released February 8, 2019 and was part of WMM’s 39 Favorite Singles of 2019. In 2019 and 2018 LyMerrick released six singles and was a featured voice on two other single releases. LyMerrick also released a single in 2016. LyMerrick was born in North Carolina but grew up in KCMO since the age of 8. LyMerrick grew up listening to all types of music ranging from gospel, rap, r&b, to classic rock and metal. LyMerrick started singing in the church choir and continued singing in elementary, middle and high school choirs. After high school LyMerrick began to record remixes and eventually began to make originals which led me his collaborations with “nightSHIFT” the label that released his music.] [French Exit Records 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,. The BLM Comp is on French Exit Record’s Bandcamp page: https://frenchexitrecords.bandcamp.com/album/black-lives-matter-compilation. 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.]

8. Be/Non – “Over The Moon”
from: A Valley of No: The Alternative A Mountain of Yeses / Haymaker Records / Apr. 8, 2020
[Brodie Rush is a musician, songwriter, band leader, graphic artist, actor, father and survivor. He is the Director of Animation & Motion Graphics at Crush Media. He is also the creative genius behind Be/Non, a Kansas City band that has been making music for over 20 years and released their critically acclaimed 6th album, Mystic Sunrise / Sunset Magic, on Haymaker Records on February 29, 2016, followed by Freedom Palace in 2018 that had been stuck in the studio for 12 years due to disputes with the original record label and personnel changes in the band until Brodie rescued the tapes and remastered the album for Haymaker Records. Now Brodie is back with a new release containing alternate mixes, isolated tracks and demo versions of Be/Non’s A Mountain of Yeses, was originally released May 12, 2009, was made by: Brodie Rush on vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards; Ben Ruth on bass guitar; Ryan Shank on drums & percussion, and Jeremiah James on guitar, Moog & Vocals. Brodie writes: “This album is a journey into the sculpting process of creating “A Mountain of Yeses”. In contrast to the original release, this compilation contains alternate mixes, isolated tracks and demo versions. Be/Non presents a bizarro-like version of the AMOY album, showing an alternate universe what could have been if the creation of the album went on a divergent path. Behold the paradoxical serendipity of Be/Non’s unique take on constructing a space-themed story/album. A visual accompaniment to the album has been in production since 2008 and now has a 2021 release date.”]

10:29 – Underwriting

7. Lonnie Holley – “Like Hell Broke Away”
from: National Freedom / Jagjaguar / July 3, 2020
[4th release from Lonnie Bradley Holley, sometimes known as The Sand Man (born February 10, 1950 in Birmingham, Alabama during the Jim Crow era), is an African-American artist, art educator, and musician. He is best known for his assemblages and immersive environments made of found materials. He was born the 7th of 27 children during the Jim Crow era and claims to have been traded for a bottle of whiskey when he was four. From the age of five, Holley worked various jobs: picking up trash at a drive-in movie theatre, washing dishes, and cooking. He lived in a whiskey house, on the state fairgrounds, and in several foster homes. His early life was chaotic and Holley was never afforded the pleasure of a real childhood. Born the 7th of 27 children, Holley claims to have been traded for a bottle of whiskey when he was four. Before beginning his career, he spent time digging graves and picking cotton. He claims to have been pronounced brain-dead after being hit by a car. He became a father at 15 and now has 15 children. Holley also worked as a short-order cook at Disney World. He also did time at a notorious juvenile facility, the Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children in Mount Meigs. // Holley began his artistic life in 1979 by carving tombstones for his sister’s two children, who died in a house fire. He used blocks of a soft sandstone-like byproduct of metal casting which was discarded in piles by a foundry near his sister’s house. He believes that divine intervention led him to the material and inspired his artwork. Inspired to create, Holley made other carvings and assembled them in his yard along with various found objects. In 1981, he brought a few examples of his sandstone carvings to Birmingham Museum of Art director Richard Murray. The BMA displayed some of those pieces immediately and Murray introduced him to the organizers of the 1981 exhibition “More Than Land and Sky: Art from Appalachia” at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Soon his work was being acquired by other institutions, such as the American Folk Art Museum in New York and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. His work has also been displayed at the White House. // Holley also became a popular guest at children’s art events, bringing blocks of the foundry stone for children to carve. He gets special pleasure from sharing his experience of learning to love oneself through creative activity. // By the mid-1980s his work had diversified to include paintings and recycled found-object sculptures. His yard and adjacent abandoned lots near his home became an immersive art environment that was celebrated by visitors from the art world, but threatened by scrap-metal scavengers and eventually, by the expansion of the Birmingham International Airport. In late 1996 Holley was notified that his hilltop property near the airport would be condemned.[3] He rejected the airport authority’s offer to buy the property at the market rate of $14,000, knowing that his site-specific installation had personal and artistic value he demanded $250,000. The dispute went to probate court and in 1997 a settlement was reached and the airport authority paid $165,700 to move Holley’s family and work to a larger property in Harpersville, Alabama. // Holley’s first major retrospective, Do We Think Too Much? I Don’t Think We Can Ever Stop: Lonnie Holley, A Twenty-Five Year Survey, was organized by the Birmingham Museum of Art and traveled in 2003 to the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham, England. From May 2003 to May 2004, Holley created a “sprawling, sculptural environment” in the lower sculpture garden at the Birmingham Museum of Art as part of their “Perspectives” series of site-specific installations. The creation of the work was documented in the film “The Sandman’s Garden” by Arthur Crenshaw and in photographs by Alice Faye “Sister” Love. // Holley installed sculptural work for the exhibition Groundstory: Tales from the shade of the South, at Agnes Scott College of Decatur, Georgia, which ran at the Dalton Gallery from September 28 to November 17, 2012. That same year, he released his debut album Just Before Music, followed by Keeping a Record of It the following year. In September 2018, he released his third album MITH on Jagjaguwar.]

10. Various Blonde – “Dirty Martini”
from: 3s 1 / The Record Machine / January 10, 2020
[New 3-song release from Various Blonde. KC based experimental, rock, pop, & funk band originally formed in 2008 and currently served by founder Joshua Allen on guitar, synthesizers, & vocals; and Mark Lomas on drums. The band has been described by Mills Record Company as, “Having all the sex appeal of The Weeknd and all the grit of Rage Against the Machine–the combination makes for a performance that is explosive.”]

[Various Blonde play Lemonad(e) Park, 1628 Wyoming (NW corner of Wyoming & 17th St.), behind Voltaire, on Friday, August 7, at 7:00 PM Doors, w/ YUM and Redder Moon. – Voltaire and recordBar present a Summer Concert Series at the newly created outdoor space, LeMonad(e) Park. Only 100 tickets are available each night. VIP-Tickets allow for up to 6 guests with full table service, no waiting in bar. OPEN SEATING at eight foot tables, 4 person maximum. General Admission is Standing Room Only (you may bring your own chair). Tables & benches are distanced per KCMO Health Department regulations (actually, a little further). Food and beverage will be served by Voltaire utilizing their on-line ordering and packaged to-go by a Voltaire employee practicing Covid-19 safety procedures. If you are not at a VIP table you will pick up your order at the bar. Please distance 6 feet when queuing.]

11. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Manic Depression”
from: Are You Experienced? / Reprise / August 23, 1967 U.S. [May 12, 1967 U.K.]
[Are You Experienced is the debut studio album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Released in 1967, the LP was an immediate critical and commercial success, and it is widely regarded as one of the greatest debuts in the history of rock music. The album features Jimi Hendrix’s innovative approach to songwriting and electric guitar playing which soon established a new direction in psychedelic and hard rock music. // By mid-1966, Hendrix was struggling to earn a living playing the R&B circuit as a backing guitarist. After being referred to Chas Chandler, who was leaving the Animals and interested in managing and producing artists, Hendrix was signed to a management and production contract with Chandler and ex-Animals manager Michael Jeffery. Chandler brought Hendrix to London and began recruiting members for a band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, designed to showcase the guitarist’s talents. // In late October, after having been rejected by Decca Records, the Experience signed with Track, a new label formed by the Who’s managers Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp. Are You Experienced and its preceding singles were recorded over a five-month period from late October 1966 through early April 1967. The album was completed in 16 recording sessions at three London locations, including De Lane Lea Studios, CBS Studios, and Olympic Studios. // Released in the UK on May 12, 1967, Are You Experienced spent 33 weeks on the charts, peaking at number two. The album was issued in the US on August 23 by Reprise Records, where it reached number five on the US Billboard Top LPs, remaining on the chart for 106 weeks, 27 of those in the Top 40. The album also spent 70 weeks on the US Billboard Hot R&B LPs chart, where it peaked at number 10. The US version contained some of Hendrix’s best known songs, including the Experience’s first three singles, which, though omitted from the British edition of the LP, were top ten hits in the UK: “Purple Haze”, “Hey Joe”, and “The Wind Cries Mary”.]

12. The Guillotine Choir – “In The Daylight”
from: “In The Daylight” – Single / The Guillotine Choir / July 15, 2020
[Second single this year from The Guillotine Choir who released their debut, “What Tomorrow Brings” on April 29, 2020. We premiered that track on our April 29, 2020 edition of WMM. The Guillotine Choir is an electronic rock band and the musical side project of Kimmie Queen and Cody Wyoming of The Philistines, and Justin Muschinske of The Widows Ride. Invoking the imagery of a late night journey through a cold war Berlin, the synthesizers sizzle and crash and beat against the wall, as the music searches for signs of light and freedom across dark urban landscapes. Cody Wyoming is also a guitarist with The Pedaljets. Cody went to Park Hill High and lives in Kansas City, Missouri with Kimmie Queen who he has been in a relationship with for 15 years. Cody grew up in Enid, Oklahoma.]

13. Fritz Hutchison – “Stationary”
from: Wide Wild Acres / Center Cut Records / March 27, 2020
[Debut album of Fritz Hutchison. Wild Wild Acres was written & performed by Fritz Hutchison. Produced by Fritz Hutchison and Joel Nanos. Recorded and mixed in Kansas City by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studio. Mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room in Chicago. Multi-instrumentalist Fritz Hutchison was born May 27, 1991. A life long resident of Kansas City. Since 2008 he’s been part of multiple bands playing drums with: She’s a Keeper, Freight Train Rabbit Killer, and Grand Marquis. As a guitarist he has played along side J Ashley Miller, Lauren Krum, Miki P and Calvin Arsenia. A decade of lending an ear and a hand to the likes of fellow shredders has left Fritz poised to launch his own solo career as a singer-songwriter.]

14. Hotel Leo – “Overflow”
from: Matters / ropedog records / May 29, 2020
[Hotel Leo is the musical project of Stephen Roper a Kansas City based engineer and musician. Prior to the release of the Matters album, Hotel Leo released the singles “Our Love” on April 24, 2020, and “Diamond” on April 20, 2020. The band released their debut 4-song self titled EP Hotel Leo on October 14, 2016 with songs written by Stephen Roper. Mastered by Nathan Moody at Obsidian Sound. Album photography by Scott Roper. Album art design by Taylor Dunn.]

15. Ben Gibbard – “Life in Quarantine”
from: Life in Quarantine – Single / Barsuk Records / March 27, 2020
[The Seattle-based Death Cab for Cutie front man unveiled the new song in a video as part of local alt-weekly The Stranger’s A Message to the City series, noting “I know this is a really f—ed up and scary time for everybody, including myself, and I know that we’re all trying to figure out what to do to make it better or alleviate the suffering of someone else.” Net proceeds from the digital release of the new home-studio recording will be donated to Seattle-area relief organizations, including homelessness-support services non-profit Aurora Commons, a welcoming space for unhoused Seattle residents to rest, prepare a meal, connect to resources, and collectively create a healthy and vibrant community. Benjamin Gibbard was born August 11, 1976. He is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie, with which he has recorded nine studio albums, and as one half of the electronica act the Postal Service. Gibbard released his debut solo album, Former Lives, in 2012, and a collaborative studio album, One Fast Move or I’m Gone (2009), with Jay Farrar, known for his work with Son Volt and formerly Uncle Tupelo. // Gibbard was born to Allen and Margaret (Flach) Gibbard in Bremerton, Washington. His father was in the Navy and his family moved around the country, including spending time in Northern Virginia before returning back to Washington. Gibbard spent his early life there during the grunge music explosion of the early 1990s. He graduated from Olympic High School in Bremerton in 1994, and studied environmental chemistry at Western Washington University. He was raised Roman Catholic and referred to himself as an “indoctrinated Catholic even though I haven’t been to church of my own volition in 10 or 15 years now.” While performing guitar in the band Pinwheel in 1996, Gibbard recorded a demo cassette under the moniker Death Cab for Cutie, titled You Can Play These Songs with Chords (1997). After receiving a positive response to the material, Gibbard expanded the project into a full band, with the addition of guitarist Chris Walla, bassist Nick Harmer and drummer Nathan Good. The following year, the band released its debut album, Something About Airplanes (1998), on Barsuk Records, and released its follow-up, We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes, in 2000.]

11:00 – Station ID

16. Miki P – “Don’t Lose Your Hope”
from: Kansas City Syzygy / Kansas City Syzygy / July 17, 2020
[Mikala Petillo, who was born in Kansas City, KS, and performed ‘She Loves You’ at her 7th grade talent show. In 9th grade she joined a teen-band called American Slim as drummer & vocalist, and released a full-length album, Irreplaceable, in 2017, played Middle of the Map Fest, Crossroads Music Fest, Kauffman Stadium, Arrowhead Stadium, and The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art before officially ending in 2018. That year, at 21, Miki P began work on her debut solo-record, Dome of Swallows, released August 2, 2018. She then formed Miki P and the Swallowtails who released their first EP, Swallowtail in 2019 The Swallowtails include: Rachel Lovelace on bassoon, Adee Dancy on cello & vocals, and Miki P on guitar & lead Vocals. In June they’ll release a follow up. The band’s members having classical music degrees, and jazz degrees. Miki P is a self-taught musician/multi-instrumentalist & songwriter driving the Swallowtails into a creative collaboration like any other. Each member is an integral part of the Kansas City music scene, writing, arranging, performing, and collaborating original music for their own groups and several other projects in the metro. “Introspective pop music with lyric-driven folk influences, mixed with collaborative energy & an odd pairing of instruments, Miki P locked in with the Swallowtails create a moment with music written and arranged from the heart.” Miki P started playing guitar in middle school. She taught herself to play the drums, while listening to Mitch Mitchell, Keith Moon and Ringo Starr. As a teen she played drums for various groups including American Slim. She wrote songs for their full-length album Irreplaceable released in 2017, followed by a single “Queen of Hearts” released April 11, 2018. She also plays ukulele & piano, teaching herself how to play both the instruments, using them frequently in all projects she is involved in. She was a featured vocalist with The Band That Fell to Earth Bowie Tribute. She’s played Boulevardia, Middle of the Map Fest, Royal’s Kaufman Stadium, recordBar, Uptown Theater, Arrowhead Stadium, Nelson Atkins Museum, the Crossroads Music Festival and the Over 25 Kansas City-based musicians came together to create “Kansas City Syzygy,” a compilation of music created during the shutdown of the world in the Spring of 2020. “Syzygy” is a term most commonly used in astronomy and is defined as “connected or corresponding events.” Album designer JC Franco states “like planets or stars aligning, so did our lives.” The nineteen songs on the album span the entire spectrum of music. Calvin Arsenia’s “Painted Ladies” is a dreamscape sung form his voice and harp, while Seth Andrew Davis’ “No Place But Home” invokes scenes of an underground dance club. Some musicians are collaborating for the first time on this album, as demonstrated on “Abyss.” Songs like “The Virus” by KC hip-hop artist Kemet Coleman comments on the impact of the coronavirus, as well as the virus that is racial injustice in America that has received global attention during the past months. The album can be purchased from Bandcamp. All proceeds will be donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, and truly affordable home.]

11:03 – Interview with Robert Castillo

Musician & band leader Robert Castillo, joins us to share music and details about the KC Syzygy compilation of original tracks from over 25 KC based musicians who came together electronically to contribute musical recordings created during the shutdown of the world in the spring of 2020. The production was directed by Robert Castillo with J Ashley Miller mastering the raw audio files. All proceeds will be donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit. The album is available at http://www.kcsyzygy.bandcamp.com

The album is available at http://www.kcsyzygy.bandcamp.com

The production of “Kansas City Syzygy” was directed by Robert Castillo with J Ashley Miller mastering the raw audio files. JC Franco created the album design, utilizing a painting by KC native Madeline Gallucci.

“Kansas City Syzygy” a compilation of original tracks with over 25 KC based musicians who came together electronically to contribute. All of this music was created during the shutdown of the world in the Spring of 2020.

“Syzygy” is a term used in astronomy and defined as “connected or corresponding events.” Designer JC Franco states “like planets or stars aligning, so did our lives.”

The nineteen songs on the album span the entire spectrum of music. Calvin Arsenia’s “Painted Ladies” is a dreamscape sung form his voice and harp, while Seth Andrew Davis’ “No Place But Home” invokes scenes of an underground dance club. Some musicians are collaborating for the first time on this album, as demonstrated on “Abyss.” Local electronic musician Chris Crabtree and Robert Castillo, bandleader of the groove jazz ensemble The Sextet, worked together with vocalist Audrey Chopin to create an experimental piece of EDM-adjacent music. Songs like “The Virus” by KC hip-hop artist Kemet Coleman comments on the impact of the coronavirus, as well as the virus that is racial injustice in America that has received global attention during the past months.

The album can be purchased from Bandcamp. All proceeds will be donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, and truly affordable home.

Musicians Include: Miki P, Kemet Coleman, Trevor Turla, Calvin Arsenia, Johnny Hamil, Jeff Harshbarger, Larkin Sanders, Chris Crabtree, Audrey Chopin, Robert Castillo, J Ashley Miller, John Kizilermut, Nik Douglas, Mikal Shapiro, Kadesh Flow, Tim J Harte, We the People, Chico Sierra, Terri Quinn, Adee Dancy, Seth Andrew
Davis, Chad Brothers, Matt Richey, Rob Rice, and Coleen Dieker.

Though COVID-19 may have shut down innumerable business and altered our lives forever, one thing it couldn’t stop is the creative drive and spirit in the world’s artists. Kansas City Syzygy is a glimpse into the music created in the middle of the map in the middle of a pandemic. Mastering by J Ashley Miller. Design by JC Franco. Direction by Robert Castillo

11:10

17. Rob Rice & the Devil’s Threesome – “Serial Lover”
from: Kansas City Syzygy / Kansas City Syzygy / July 17, 2020
[Lead singer songwriter Rob Rice told us that “’Serial Lover’ is based on a conversation he had with a dear friend around relationships, specifically monogamous vs. polyamorous, and opening our eyes to learn more about the others experience. This song is one of 6 that Rob is working to finish up this summer and release later this year under the album name ‘And The Devil’s Threesome’. This is a collection of six original songs Rob has composed and recorded that features a female and additional male accompaniment to showcase (hence the Devil’s Threesome…) Here is a sample of the first four tracks and the names of artists/musicians who have collaborated on this project 1. “Tiny Window” with Calvin Arsenia (Harp and Vocals) and Ezgi Karakus (Cello); 2. “There’s A Devil Inside Me” with Landon Hambright (Upright and Vocals) and Rachael Feeley (Vocals); 3. “Thinking of Another” with Teri Quinn (Clarinet and Vocals) and Stephen Roper (Drums, Electronics and Vocals); And 4. “Serial Lover” with Coleen Dieker (Violin and Vocals) and Robert Castillo (Upright Bass and Vocals). Rob Rice is finalizing the last two tracks and we are working to have rob on WMM when he is ready for the release. /// Over 25 Kansas City-based musicians came together to create “Kansas City Syzygy,” a compilation of music created during the shutdown of the world in the Spring of 2020. All proceeds will be donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit. The album is available at http://www.kcsyzygy.bandcamp.com.]

13. GAV7D (Johnny Hamil & Jeff Harshbarger & Sylvain Rabbath) – “Eastwood Stayed Skinny Travolta Got Fat (Pt. II)”
from: Kansas City Syzygy / Kansas City Syzygy / July 17, 2020
[Johnny Hamil told us that this “was the last track he wrote and recorded while in Paris before the lockdown. Johnny has been going to Paris every year to study and to record. This year he was recording the GAV7D – Video game Solo Bass record with Sylvain Rabbath. This song is Johnny’s love of 1980s metal shred so he broke out some old school chops to compose the song….it is a solo bass record so why not? While recording the song Jeff Harshbarger called Johnny and said he wasn’t going to come to Paris as planned, due to the virus. Johnny told him everything was fine in Paris and he should come… something that Johnny now really regrets saying, however it was fine at the time. Johnny’s trip was wonderful as always and we were making this wonderful song. So Jeff did come and we were finishing the track so Johnny just put Jeff in the vocal booth to make sonic the hedgehog type sounds and sing the ending “Parisian scooter death ride” lyrics. Jeff sang five part harmonies in just a few tales! It was another example how amazing he is. Also the keyboards on this track are amazing as well. Sylvain Rabbath recently acquired a new analog keyboard, to add to his collection of hundreds of keyboards. This keyboard from the 1980s has a lot of a “Miami Vice” sound. In regard to the “Parisian scooter death ride” story, in order to get to and from the studio it is easier to ride on Sylvain’s scooter as taking his car takes too much time in a city like Paris. Since Sylvain was born and raised in Paris, he goes through cars, alleys, gutters, sidewalks, and it’s terrifying! Thus Johnny feels like you will never know the true Paris until you have had that experience. If you listen closely enough at the end fade out you will hear the shrieking vocals. Jeff Harshbarger had to stay with Johnny for a month due to mandatory quarantine for travelers. Johnny and Jeff did a few online shows during that time. They played a duet version of this tune. It was the first time Johnny was able to perform with another musician and it was such a blessing! Johnny felt this heavy weight be lifted off of himself. Both shows are still on Johnny’s Facebook pages and got shared quite a bit. As Johnny is finishing up the entire album this track stands out, so Johnny is glad it is the first song to formally get released. Johnny will be releasing the last two GAV7D albums this year as they are done. They both got delayed from the pandemic. The Exotica Freejazz Record is really just another amazing journey that includes musicians: Mark Southerland, Annie Elliot, Amado Espinoza, Chris Fugitt, Arny Young, Tina Billberry, Clarke Wyatt, Julia Othmer, and so many more. // /// Over 25 Kansas City-based musicians came together to create “Kansas City Syzygy,” a compilation of music created during the shutdown of the world in the Spring of 2020. The album can be purchased from Bandcamp beginning July 17, 2020. All proceeds will be donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, and truly affordable home.]

19. Shay Estes & Trio All – “Under The Milky Way feat. Jeff Harshbarger”
From: Despite Your Destination / Independent / 2009
[Shay Estes and Trio ALL — ALL being an acronym for the last names of players Zack Albetta on drums, Mark Lowrey on piano, and Ben Leifer on bass. Lowrey told INK that they, “We’re trying to cross over into the realm of modern jazz by writing arrangements of songs that aren’t staples in jazz repertoire.” The album title comes from the lyrics of “Under the Milky Way,” originally by new wave band The Church. That track was the first arrangement Estes and Lowrey worked on together in 2004, and features guest vocals from Jeff Harshbarger.]

11:35 – Underwriting

20. Bijuu – “Body222”
from: WEEP NOT / Bijuu / April 17, 2020
[4-song EP from Kansas City based producer and vocalist who specializes in electronic maximalist pop music. Bijuu released the singles “Wet Blood” May 7, 2018, and “Mushygoo” April 20, 2018. There are a multitude of other tracks at Bijuu’s Soundcloud page.]

21. MARCOTTE – “History”
from: History / MARCOTTE / October 1, 2019
[For singer-songwriter duo Jordan and Sasha, soul is the term that most embodies the emotional transparency they commit to in the music they compose and perform together as MARCOTTE. The duo met in Kansas City, MO in 2013. They quickly discovered that collaboration came naturally and what they could do together surpassed any success they were able to achieve separately. Sasha and Jordan partnered together to create and perform original songs for their friends’ weddings –music that honestly and affectionately communicated the love story of the bride and groom. Soon finding their own love story in the midst, the pair has successfully translated that same honesty and affection to the art they create together. Though the stages and audience have grown in size and number as MARCOTTE continues to experience acclaim, the Pop-R&B duo has been able to keep the intimacy and clarity they’re known for while performing for live audiences.]

[Marcotte play ULAH Live Sessions Hosted by You Found Music on Thursday July 23, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at ULAH, 4707 Rainbow Blvd., Westwood, KS. Limited seating for 12. Doors at 7:00, show at 7:30. Social distancing measures will be in place. Masks will be required upon entry, and while moving about the store. Ticket information at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/ulaj-live-sessions-marcotte-tickets%5D

22. D’Angelo & The Vanguard – “1000 Deaths”
from: Black Messiah / RCA – Sony / December 15, 2014
[Black Messiah is the third studio album by American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist D’Angelo, credited to D’Angelo and the Vanguard. It was released on December 15, 2014, by RCA Records, bringing an end to his 14-year hiatus that followed his 2000 album Voodoo. The album was produced and mostly written by D’Angelo, who collaborated with musicians such as percussionist Questlove, bassist Pino Palladino, guitarist Isaiah Sharkey, and horn player Roy Hargrove. He pursued a largely analog and murky funk sound for the record, lending it comparisons to the 1971 Sly & the Family Stone album There’s a Riot Goin’ On. Black Messiah was among 2014’s most highly anticipated albums and was released to widespread critical acclaim, later being ranked as one of the year’s best albums. The album debuted at number five on the US Billboard charts and number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, selling over 117,000 units in its first week. Black Messiah was promoted with the release of the single “Really Love” and a tour called The Second Coming. // D’Angelo’s subsequent solo work was extensively delayed.Production for a full-length follow-up to Voodoo was stagnant, as he was working on and off mostly by himself during 2002. D’Angelo attempted to play every instrument for the project, striving for complete creative control similar to that of Prince. Russell Elevado described the resulting material as “Parliament/Funkadelic meets the Beatles meets Prince, and the whole time there’s this Jimi Hendrix energy”. However, those who previewed its songs found it to be unfinished. In the years that followed, D’Angelo’s personal problems worsened, descending to drug and alcohol addiction. In January 2005 he was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and cocaine. Various mugshots began circulating around the time, showing the singer looking overweight and unhealthy, in stark contrast to the muscular D’Angelo seen in promotion for Voodoo. In September 2005, a week after being sentenced on the drug charges, he was involved in a car accident, and was rumoured to be critically injured. However, a week after the crash a statement was issued by D’Angelo’s attorney stating that he was fine continuing to say “He is anxious to finish the recording of his soul masterpiece that the world has patiently awaited. // No more was revealed on the new album until 2007, when Questlove, D’Angelo’s drummer and producer, leaked an unfinished track on Triple J Radio in Australia. Entitled “Really Love”, the track was an acoustic flavored jam with a laid back swing feel. The leak apparently soured relations between the two. In 2009, D’Angelo’s then-new manager Lindsay Guion, revealed plans for a new album, including collaborations with artists including Prince, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, and John Mayer, and a summer tour, saying “He’s able to smile again and he’s ready to connect [with fans], he’s coming back. And he looks great, by the way.” As with the previous year, no tour or album materialized. In early February 2010, a new track called “1000 Deaths” appeared on the Internet, but was swiftly removed due to a copyright claim by Michael Archer, D’Angelo’s legal name. The song seemed unfinished, and it is unclear how recent the material actually is, as the same song was mentioned in the same interview (see above) with Russell Elevado, in 2007. Around the same time, an article began to circulate on the Internet, which seemed to be an apparent review of ‘James River’, with detailed descriptions of individual songs, track listing, and segments of lyrics. This caused much discussion regarding the authenticity of the article, or whether it was an elaborate hoax. // In January 2011, Russell Elevado updated the status of the album development on his website and stated that “Pino Palladino and James Gadson have joined D’Angelo […] in New York City to finish cutting tracks for the upcoming album (yes, “THE” upcoming album!). We are officially making our way to finishing this record! I don’t need to tell everyone that this will be an amazing album. D’Angelo fans will be extremely happy to know, the wait will be over soon and it will surely be a future classic” Russell Elevado updated the status of the album again on his own website. “Since my last post I have continued sessions with D’Angelo. We’ve just finished up 5 months of recording. D has been doing vocals and guitars and we’ve had Pino Palladino back in for some more bass tracks. Also ?uestlove came in to jam with D and Pino. They’ve finally reunited after 7 or 8 years (lost track how long really). We’re taking a few months break while I take care of some other projects that have been on the back burner.” // In December 2011 Questlove said the album was 97% done and that D’Angelo was “finishing his lyrics now.” He went on to compare the album to a “black version of Smile – at best, it will go down in the Smile/There’s a Riot Goin’ On/Miles Davis’ On the Corner category. That’s what I’m hoping for. There’s stuff on there I was amazed at, like new music patches I’ve never heard before. I’d ask him, “What kind of keyboard is that?” I thought it was some old vintage thing. But he builds his own patches. One song we worked on called “Charade” has this trombone patch that he re-EQ’d and then put through an envelope filter and then added a vibraphone noise on top and made a whole new patch out of it. He’s the only person I know that takes a Herbie Hancock approach, or Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff—the two musician/engineers who programmed all of Stevie Wonder’s genius-period stuff—approach. That’s the last time I ever heard of somebody building patches. We’ll see if history is kind to it.” In 2012, D’Angelo returned to performing live with his Occupy Music Tour and prepared his third studio album, whose recording had D’Angelo return to Electric Lady Studios. // Michael Eugene Archer (born February 11, 1974), better known by his stage name D’Angelo (pronounced di-Angelo), is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. D’Angelo is associated with the neo soul movement, along with artists like Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Maxwell, and collaborator Angie Stone. // Born in Richmond, Virginia, the son of a Pentecostal minister, D’Angelo taught himself piano as a child. At eighteen, he won the amateur talent competition at Harlem’s Apollo Theater three weeks in a row. After a brief affiliation with hip-hop group I.D.U., his first major success came in 1994 as the co-writer and co-producer of the song “U Will Know”. // His debut solo album, Brown Sugar (1995), received positive reviews and sold over two million copies. His next album, Voodoo (2000), debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. Its lead single “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”, entered the R&B charts and won a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal; likewise, Voodoo won Best R&B Album. D’Angelo was hailed as the next Marvin Gaye by GQ in 2014. // Following this period, D’Angelo became more than uncomfortable with his growing status as a sex symbol. This was followed by numerous personal struggles including alcoholism, and a fourteen-year long musical hiatus. D’Angelo released his third studio album, Black Messiah, in December 2014. The album was met with critical acclaim and fared well on music charts, peaking at number five on the US Billboard 200. D’Angelo also contributed to the soundtrack for the 2018 video game Red Dead Redemption 2, performing the song “Unshaken”.]

23. Daniel Gum – “Tired Saint”
from: Black Lives Matter Compilation / French Exit Records / July 6, 2020
[Daniel Gum is a 23 year old singer-songwriter from Kansas City. Since the age of 12, he has spent the majority of his time writing and recording songs by himself in his room. His most recent project, Moon, on the other hand was recorded by someone else in another room while Daniel was by himself in yet another 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 EP i’m not dead 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.] [French Exit Records 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,. The BLM Comp is on French Exit Record’s Bandcamp page: https://frenchexitrecords.bandcamp.com/album/black-lives-matter-compilation. 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.]

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

11:58 – Community Voices

Next week on Wednesday, July 29, singer songwriter activist Una Walkenhorst joins us to talk about her 2020 EP Woman Of The Year. We will also share more tracks from the new Kansas City Syzygy compilations, and even more from the French Exit Records compilation release Black Lives Matter.

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

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

Black Lives Matter

Show #847

WMM presents Robert Castillo & Kansas City Syzygy + Black Lives Matter Compilation

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, July 22, 2020

Robert Castillo & Kansas City Syzygy
+ New & MidCoastal Releases

We play New & MidCoastal Releases from: The Black Creatures, Rob Rice & The Devil’s Threesome, Miki P, Marcotte, Betse & Clarke, LyMerrick, The Guillotine Choir, Fritz Hutchison, Daniel Gum, Various Blonde, Johnny Hamil & Jeff Harshbarger, Palace Intrigue, Hotel Leo, Be/Non, Shay Estes, Julianna Barwick, Bijuu, Lonnie Holley, D’Angelo & The Vangaurd, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Funkadelic.

The production of “Kansas City Syzygy” was directed by Robert Castillo with J Ashley Miller mastering the raw audio files. JC Franco created the album design, utilizing a painting by KC native Madeline Gallucci.

We will feature tracks from: Kansas City Syzygy, a compilation of 19 songs created during the quarantine of 2020 with proceeds donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit organized to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, & truly affordable home.

BLM cover art by Chicago-based Nigerian American illustrator, Unimuke Agada / Courtesy French Exit Records

We also continue featuring tracks from French Exit Records – Black Lives Matter Compilation of 22 acts from the area, with 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. http://www.frenchexitrecords.bandcamp.com

Robert Castillo

At 11:00 Mark welcomes musician & band leader Robert Castillo, who shares music and information about Kansas City Syzygy a compilation of original tracks with over 25 KC based musicians who came together electronically to contribute. All of this music was created during the shutdown of the world in the Spring of 2020. The production of “Kansas City Syzygy” was directed by Robert Castillo with J Ashley Miller mastering the raw audio files. JC Franco created the album design, utilizing a painting by KC native Madeline Gallucci. All proceeds will be donated to KC Tenants, a local nonprofit. The album was released on July 17, 2020 and is available at http://www.kcsyzygy.bandcamp.com

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

Show #847

WMM Playlist from July 1, 2020

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, July 1, 2020

Black Light Animals + Johnny Hamil
+ New & MidCoastal Releases

1. “It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / Dec 20, 1979
[WMM’s theme]

2. Jefferson Airplane – “White Rabbit”
from: Surrealistic Pillow / RCA – Victor / February, 1967
[Marty Balin – vocals, guitar, album design, Jack Casady – bass guitar, fuzz bass, rhythm guitar, Spencer Dryden – drums, percussion, Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals, Jorma Kaukonen – lead guitar, vocals, Grace Slick – vocals, piano, organ, recorder. Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1965. A pioneer of counterculture-era psychedelic rock, the group was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve international mainstream success. They performed at the three most famous American rock festivals of the 1960s—Monterey (1967), Woodstock (1969) and Altamont (1969) —as well as headlining the first Isle of Wight Festival (1968). Their 1967 record Surrealistic Pillow is regarded as one of the key recordings of the “Summer of Love”. Two hits from that album, “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit”, are listed in Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.]

3. Honeywagen – “For Love”
from: Halfdog / RockOPlane Records / April 21, 2020
[Halfdog is the fifth album by Honeywagen. The players on Halfdog are: Mike Penner on vocals and guitars along with Scott Christensen on guitars, Gary Charlson on bass and Charlie Pautler on drums and backing vocals. All songs recorded, mixed & mastered by Mike Penner at Cricket Palace Recording, Olathe, KS., a RockOPlane Records release. More info at: http://www.honeywagen.com]

4. Black Stacey – “Happy Music”
from: Happy Music – Single / Sharaden Staten / June 2, 2020
[a new soingle from the upcoming EP release Lose the Peace. Co-produced/mixed/mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Studios. The track features Julia Hail of Hi-Lux; Christine Grossman, principal violist of the Kansas City Symphony; and Michael Raehpour and Grant Morgan on horns. “The record tells the story of a relationship between father and daughter, and with this track giving the back story and possible end of said relationship, it only makes sense that it’s Black Stacey’s most involved song to date.” We first played an unmastered version of this song on March 13, 2019. Black Stacey is Sharaden Staten, a Missouri native, who release his album “Electric Church” in 2017. Part of WMM’s The 117 Best Recordings of 2017. Sharaden, a 25-year-old, having grown up in the back woods of central Missouri, and couch surfed his way into the KC metro, pairs subtle notes of R&B, funk, soul, and rock; dramatically blending it into a raw eclectic mix. In 2015 Sharaden began writing, recording and producing Black Stacey’s debut, “Electric Chariot”. A project that has given him a solid foundation in the KC music scene, gaining him spots on local radio and the opportunity to work with producer Joel Nanos. More info at: http://www.blackstacey.com.]

5. Ondist – “Interstate Love Song”
from: No Coincidence / Bikiniwax Records / June 12, 2020
[Corbin Dooley, Nick Poortman, and Maya Coppola are Ondist. With divergent backgrounds rooted in Arkansas, New Zealand, and New York, the trio connected in Los Angeles. No Coincidence was recording in Malibu, Dallas, Kansas City, and Las Vegas to bring environmental influences to the center of the Ondist sound, which is united by its cinematic vision of hope. Ondist is a recording project created by Corbin Dooley with singer songwriter Maya Coppola (Imani’s sister) and Nick Poortman. Corbin Dooley signed Nine Inch nails to TVT Records in 1990. He managed Blur, and Tekronic. Kansas City based drummer, producer and engineer Sam Platt told us about how he grew up in Carthage, Missouri where Corbin Dooley would visit during summers staying with is grandparents. Sam explained that Corbin asked Sam to put a band together for some Kansas City sessions of recording songs for No Coincidence. It was such a success that Corbin came back twice to record and flew in producer Nadir Omawale from Detroit and Luke John from Memphis. Recordings took place at Weights and Measures with Duane Trower. For this track “Interstate Love Song” (a cover of the Stone Temple Pilots original) Claire Adams is on lead vocals, Sam Platt on drums, Eddie Moore on keyboards, DeAndre Manning on bass, Jamie Anderson on guitar. Sam Platt told us that over 20 songs were recorded, 14 originals, 6 covers. Corbin Dooley narrowed down a few for Claire Adams to sing. From these recordings and others 14 songs ended up on No Coincidence. The album was mixed by Nick Poortman and produced by Corbin Dooley and Maya Love Coppola. Sam Platt flew to LA to record and played on tracks with Nick Gaffeney a drummer from New Zealand.

6. Tiny Spys – “Fruits of My Mind”
from: Thoughts in My Mind / Tinysoldiersrecords / May 1, 2020
[Written by Dominique Sanders, Rick Carson and Keith Rodgers. Produced by Dominique Sanders. Mixed and mastered by Rick Carson. Recorded at Make Believe Studios.]

7. Jo MacKenzie – “’96 DiCaprio”
from: “’96 DiCaprio” – Single / Jo Mackenzie / June 14, 2020
[One of several new singles from 16 year old, Kansas City based singer songwriter, Jo MacKenzie. Written, Performed and Produced by Jo MacKenzie. Mixed by Harper James. Jo MacKenzie released her Debut EP Proud on November 17, 2018. Along with Proud, Jo Mackenzie released the single “Just Like Rain” on August 18, 2018; “I Should Come with a Warning Sign” on September 28, 2019; and “Alaska” on November 23, 2019 and the single “Suicide Season” on February 1, 2020, and the single “Lose My Face” on April 24, 2020. More info at http://www.jomackenzie.com]

8. We The People – “Misunderstood”
from: Misunderstood – Single / Outer Circle Music / June 26, 2020
[First single from the up-coming debut record of Eddie Moore’s group We The People. We The People is a power trio and sometimes 4-piece stemming from the roots of Black American Music, Hip-hip, Psych-Rock, and Classical. Crafted with raw passion, and unflinching groove this “Urban Gumbo” shares the pain, joy, fear, and dreams that inspire, and celebrate our unity. Eddie Moore on Rhodes & synthesizers, Jason Emmond on bass, Zach Morrow on drums & samples, and Jamie Anderson on guitar & vocoder.]

10:28 – Underwriting

9. Pamper the Madman – “Spinning”
from: Spinning – Single (unmastered) mixes from unreleased new recordings (May 1, 2018)
[Current members of the reformed Kansas City band Pamper The Madman include: Johnny Hamil, Theresa Scott, Chris Fugitt & Chris Tady. Theresa Scott is formerly known Theresa Schloegel. She is one of the original members of Pamper the Madman. Tim Finn in the KC Star wrote: “Clever songs made Pamper the Madman one of the area’s biggest bands 20 years ago.” The band released their self titled debut on Stress Records in 1995. The band stopped playing in 1998 but after a handful of reunion shows between 2014-2016, the band decided to get back together and is recording new material. Theresa Schloegel was born in Kansas City on November 07, 1970. A while back with her husband and family she left town on a boat going south on the river. She also lives in Santa Cruz. Theresa Scott’s family has owned and operated Woodyard BBQue for generations. Members of Pamper the Madman have included Theresa Scott, Chris Fugitt, Robbie Wagner, Marshall Strong, Johnny Hamil and Chris Tady.]

Johnny Hamil on the July 1, 2020 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI

11:03 – Interview with Johnny Hamil

Kansas City based musician, composer, and teacher, Johnny Hamil joins to share details about KC BASS WORKSHOP, International Rabbath Institute, and International Society of Bassists proudly presenting: Bassists 4 Bassists “Do Not Stay Alone,” July 7 through July 11, 2020, an online Bass Workshop and BASS FEST live streaming for all levels and styles of music for double bass and electric bass. Classically trained bassist Johnny Hamil is one of the founding members of Mr. Marco’s V-7, he plays with Pamper The Madman, Stephonne Singleton, Mikal Shapiro and his GAV7D Project series of recordings. More information at http://www.kcbassworkshop.com

Johnny Hamil, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

The KCBASS WORKSHOP

International Rabbath Institute & International Society of Bassists proudly present

Bassists 4 Bassists

“DO NOT STAY ALONE” -Francois Rabbath

July 7-11, 2020

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime event!

Tuition is Free – A donation is suggested as many of the faculty are donating their time and art to raise money for the bassists that are financially hit hardest by the pandemic. Please consider making a donation to let your fellow bassists know they have the support when they need it most. The Bass family pays it forward!

KCBASS is always in loving memory of George Vance.

To Donate Visit: http://www.kcbassworkshop.com

Featuring the Bass family:

Francois Rabbath ● Lynn Seaton ● Hans Sturm ● Etienne La France ● Paul Ellison ● Billy Sheehan ● Anthony Wellington ● Ted Botsford ● Johnny Hamil ● Nina DeCesare ● John Clayton ● Jason Beers ● Kate Jones ● Dennis Whitaker ● Szymon Marciniak ● Andrew Raciti ● Jory Herman ● Shawn Conley ● Marcos Machados ● Lloyd Goldstein ● Grace Lewis ● Frank Proto ● Doan Brian Roessler ● Gaeleen McCormick ●Nick Walker ● Jessica Valls ● Christian Chesanek ● Kassie Ferrero ● Jonathan Fisher ● Andrew Ryan ● Eric Thorin ● Jeff Harshbarger ● Brian Hicks ● Tyson Leslie ● Dominque Saunders ● James Ward ● Heather Miller Lardin ● Kyle Motl ● David Young ● George Fahlund ● Gerald Spaits ● Bob Bowman ● Robert Peterson ● Martha Vance ● Jeff Kail ● Caleb Quillen ● Richard Ryan ● Steve Tulipana ● Anthony Stoops ● David Murry ● Volkan Orhan ● Ryan Madora ● Tracy Rowell ● Ken Poggioli ● Kristin Benson ● Chris Threlkeld Weigland ● Robert Castillo ● Rick Willoughby ● Brandon Mason ● Nash Tomey ● Aaron Osbourne

The KCBASS WORKSHOP WORKSHO COURSES

Work directly with staff on your playing

Scales and technique

Play together virtually in large group

Make a solo video to post

Semi private masterclasses

Large group masterclasses

Be able to customize a track that is more in your interest area (classical, rock, jazz, orchestral excepts, folk, theory, electric, early period, young bassists, and more).

Submit your video of your playing along with these masters and the winners get put in the video (see 2:56 on video). Charts are posted on pdf page. don’t forget to pick your favorite part to play other than the solo part. All levels are encouraged to enter as you never know which solo is going to be the coolest….. We need cool in the summertime!

Earlier this year Johnny Hamil and Jeff Harshbarger traveled to Paris to work with heir bass hero François Rabbath. They were able to get out on one other e last flights from Paris as COVID-19 hit. They were in quarantine together for several weeks upon returning to the U.S. Jeff shared his ZOOM account with Johnny to help with his teaching, and the ZOOM classes inspired Johnny to continue KCBASSFEST as an online event this year.

Johnny Hamil

Johnny is one of the founding members of the band Mr. Marco’s V7, a band that has reinvented themselves with each new release, and changed and evolved with different line-ups. Known for their experimental, instrumental music, Johnny told us that for ALL of the music he has composed for the band came to him in his dreams.

In 2011, the classically trained bassist Johnny Hamil, who dreams his musical compositions in his sleep, noticed something revolutionary for his creative process when Johnny’s dream compositions included lyrics for the first time, and this set him on a new path to create, the GAWD project, which is not Mr. Marco’s V7 proper, but it is members of the Mr.Marco’s V7 from throughout the long history of the the band. The concept was to collaborate a vocal version of a composition with musical friends and then have various lineups of the V7 family interpret the material in different ways., CartoonNoirJazz, PunkFunkPolka, and FreeeExoticaMiddleEastern. Selections from the GAWD project premiered at the Folk Alliance International.

As a teacher of the bass Johnny Hamil was recently featured in a recent season of Queer Eye on Netflix.

Davey’s Uptown Rambler’s Club, 3402 Main St, KCMO, was where the band first performed live in the early 90s. Marco Pascolini, Johnny Hamil, Chris Fugitt, and Clark Wyatt formed the original band.

Johnny’s Birthday was June 11.

Johnny Hamil, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

KC BASS WORKSHOP, International Rabbath Institute, and International Society of Bassists proudly presenting: Bassists 4 Bassists “Do Not Stay Alone,” July 7 through July 11, 2020, an online Bass Workshop and BASS FEST live streaming for all levels and styles of music for double bass and electric bass. More information at http://www.kcbassworkshop.com

10:48

10. Betse & Clarke – “Innocent When You Dream”
from: Winter / Betse & Clarke / June 4, 2020
[A collection of songs and tunes, including original compositions, traditional songs and fiddle tunes, and modern songs re-envisioned. This recording was compiled during winter 2020, with a feeling of introspection. Songs under copyright were properly licensed for this digital release. Regular folks, exceptional music: This duo from the heartland (Kansas City, Missouri) has its roots in Ozark old time music, honoring traditional songs and tunes that resonate with human experience. New compositions add compelling elements to their musical tapestry. Follow up to the duo’s 2017 release, Tunes We Like released only in analog on cassette. Betse & Clarke are a traditional and future folk duo with Betse Ellis on fiddles, violins, viola & vocals and Clarke Wyatt on banjos, guitar, cello, multi-instruments. Betse & Clarke have played and toured around the world. Individually their musical roots go deep in the KC music scene. Clarke Wyatt is a founding member of Mr. Marco’s V7, and Betse Ellis is a founding member of The Wilders. Last year Betse & Clarke released ”River Still Rise,” originals and reworked traditional compositions presented “to be enjoyed as a musical adventure, much like the river exploration of the famous duo Lewis & Clark, an inspiration for the band’s name.” http://www.betseandclarke.com]

11. Dirty Projectors – “Lose Your Love”
from: Flight Tower – EP / Domino Recording Co / June 25, 2020
[Scarcely 18 months after the release of their album, “Lamp Lit Prose,” from July 13, 2018, and three months after their live-in-studio album “Sing The Melody” from December 10, 2019, Dirty Projectors released the single ‘Overlord.’ Then several month later the band released their new 4-song EP Flight Tower. Lead Projector Dave Longstreth put together the new band around the Lamp Lit Prose touring in 2018/19. Guitarist Maia Friedman handles lead vocals and co-wrote the lyrics with Dave, who wrote and produced the music. Felicia Douglass and Kristin Slipp contribute additional vocals. Nat Baldwin plays upright bass; Mike Johnson is behind the kit. Mauro Refosco plays congas.]

12. In The Pines – “Bones”
from: Bones – Single / Arctic Rodeo Recordings / June 5, 2020
[In The Pines are back with their first new release since the 2006 debut album In The Pines. Single from upcoming album to be released soon. KC based six piece band with Brad Hodgson on guitar & vocals, Darren Welch on bass, Laurel Morgan on violin & vocals, Matt Wolber on guitar, and Mike Myers on drums. Made up of two guitars, a bass, a violin, a viola, a pump organ, drums, and five vocals, their music is serene at times, other times brooding, creating an atmosphere ideal for their subject matter: narratives of a man wasted away in prison, a woman burning to death as her dress catches fire, a handless man intent on showing others the subtle gifts in life. It is dark, it is dirty, it is sometimes drunken. It is intimate. more info at: http://www.inthepines.com]

11:00 – Station ID

13. Black Light Animals – “Halo”
from: Playboys of The Western World / Groove King Records / July 3, 2020
[Formed from the ashes of their last band, Instant Karma the new record contains lush pop vocals crooned over spaghetti western riffs, psychedelic synth, and hip hop drums. Playboys of the Western World is a sprawling, decadent examination of what it means to be a human being through the lens of horror movie organs, spaghetti western guitars, hip hop grooves, psychedelic sojourns, and ballads crooned to lovers in the night. Members include: Cole Bales on vocals & guitar, Cody Calhoun on guitar, Branden Moser on bass, and Zach Harris on drums. More info at: http://www.blacklightanimalsband.bandcamp.com]

Cole Bales and Cody Calhoun on the July 1, 2020 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI 90.1 FM.

11:03 – Interview with Colby Bales & Cody Calhoun

Cole Bales & Cody Calhoun joined us on the phone to talk about their new musical project Black Light Animals and their debut album, Playboys of The Western World, to be released on July 3, 2020. Formed from the ashes of their last band, Instant Karma the new record contains lush pop vocals crooned over spaghetti western riffs, psychedelic synth, and hip hop drums. Playboys of the Western World is a sprawling, decadent examination of what it means to be a human being through the lens of horror movie organs, spaghetti western guitars, hip hop grooves, psychedelic sojourns, and ballads crooned to lovers in the night. More info at: http://www.blacklightanimalsband.bandcamp.com

Colby Bales & Cody Calhoun, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

It was just a little over a year ago that Cole and Cody joined us on the June 12, 2019 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley to share a new recording they’ve just completed, “Tell Me That You Love Me” was just finished up and mastered by Zach Harris And to talk about heir previous band, Instant Karma playing their last live show on Saturday, June 22, at recordBar, for SoundMachineKC with Pink Royal, and The Maytags. Instant Karma! was a 4-piece rock band from Kansas City blending elements of psych, soul, funk. and hip hop. Instant Karma bass player Branden Moser has called the band, “a drug trip through the soul section of your local record store.”

Cole Bales on vocals & guitar, Cody Calhoun on guitar, Branden Moser on bass, and Zach Harris on drums.

Instant Karma Discography:
Make Me a Man – Single – April 7, 2016
Three Little Flames – Single – May 22, 2016
Wait On Love – Single – May 22, 2016
Trying To Find My Mind EP – July 22, 2017
Give Me Freedom / Shine on – Single – May 11, 2018 (Sunflower Soul/Chris Hazleton)

After their last show on Saturday, June 22, 2019 the band killed off their name and persona and reinvented themselves with a new sound and direction.

Cole Bales and Branden Moser also play with The Freedom Affair.

Colby Bales & Cody Calhoun, thanks for being with us on WMM

Black Light Animals “Playboys of The Western World”

Black Light Animals and their ground breaking debut album, Playboys of The Western World, to be released on July 3, 2020. Formed from the ashes of their last band, Instant Karma the new record contains lush pop vocals crooned over spaghetti western riffs, psychedelic synth, and hip hop drums. Playboys of the Western World is a sprawling, decadent examination of what it means to be a human being through the lens of horror movie organs, spaghetti western guitars, hip hop grooves, psychedelic sojourns, and ballads crooned to lovers in the night.

11:17

14. Black Light Animals – “Dark Fantasies”
from: Playboys of The Western World / Groove King Records / July 3, 2020
[Formed from the ashes of their last band, Instant Karma the new record contains lush pop vocals crooned over spaghetti western riffs, psychedelic synth, and hip hop drums. Playboys of the Western World is a sprawling, decadent examination of what it means to be a human being through the lens of horror movie organs, spaghetti western guitars, hip hop grooves, psychedelic sojourns, and ballads crooned to lovers in the night. Members include: Cole Bales on vocals & guitar, Cody Calhoun on guitar, Branden Moser on bass, and Zach Harris on drums. More info at: http://www.blacklightanimalsband.bandcamp.com]

15. BLACKSTARKIDS – “Reasons To Exist”
from: SURF / Bedroom Records / February 28, 2020
[Second album from, BlackStarKids, a pop/R&B/hip-hop group based in Kansas City, Missouri. Members include: TheBabeGabe, Deiondre, and TyFaizon (of the Drop Dead XX collective). The group released its first album, Let’s Play Sports, in 2019. Blackstarkids, recently caught the attention of The 1975’s frontman Matty Healy and now they’re signed to The 1975’s management company, Dirty Hit Records and they were just featured in Clash Magazine,]

16. The 1975 – “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know) [Edit]”
from: Notes On A Conditional Form / Polydor & Interscope Records / May 22, 2020
[The 1975 are an English pop rock band formed in 2002 in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Now based in Manchester, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Matthew Healy, lead guitarist Adam Hann, bassist Ross MacDonald, and drummer/producer George Daniel. The band’s origins trace to their attendance at high school and playing together as teenagers.[6] Gigs organized by a council worker led the band to formally sign with Dirty Hit and Polydor Records. The band opened for several major acts and released a series of extended plays (Facedown, Sex, Music for Cars, IV) throughout 2012 before releasing their self-titled debut album (2013), which included the popular singles “Sex”, “Chocolate”, and “Robbers” reaching number one in the United Kingdom. Their second album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016), reached No. 1 in the US and UK. Following the touring cycle for the record, the band announced their third album under the working title of Music for Cars, before going on hiatus again throughout 2017. Returning in 2018, the band announced that the album had evolved into their third campaign cycle, consisting of their third and fourth studio albums. The first, A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships (2018), was released to widespread critical acclaim,[8] and became their third No. 1 album in the UK. The second, Notes on a Conditional Form, was released in May 2020 and became their fourth consecutive No. 1 album in the UK.]

11:29 – Underwriting

17. Keisha Frazier aka Klov – “Cannot Change”
from: Cannot Change – Single / Records DK / June 12, 2020
[Keisha “Klov” Frazier, is a KC Native rap artist. At the age of 12, Klov, developed a passion for music dedicated her life to pursuing her dream. Influences include; Bone Thugs N Harmony, Tupac Shakur, Da Brat, and Notorious B.I.G. Klov’s music can be found on SoundCloud, YouTube, iTunes, and more. Keisha Frazier goes deep on this emotionally driven track about being kicked out of her home for being gay. Midwestern religion and ideals can be an oppressive force that she “Cannot Change” but that does not stop her from seeing strength in herself and moving forward. Mixed by multi-platinum engineer, Aaron Connor.]

18. Calvin Arsenia – “Toxic”
from: Cantaloupe / Center Cut Records / September 15, 2018 (KC Release)
[Calvin Arsenia who came home to KC in 2014 after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has released the EPs, Moments, Prose, Caviar, and the full length debut, Catastrophe.Standing at 6 foot 6 inches, Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, playing piano, banjo, guitar & harp. Calvin has played Folk Alliance Int., KC Fringe Fest, Apocalypse Meow, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre. Last year he undertook a three month US/European Outlyre Tour playing San Francisco,Vancouver, NYC, Boston, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerland and Paris.]

[Congratulations to Calvin and his fantastic team of co-conspirators and creators: Khitam Jabr, John P. Beatty, Ignacio Galarza III, Ashlee Fairchild Jones, production assistants, and crew. The Toxic music video earned its sixth set of laurels as an official selection of the L.A. Music Video Awards, where they were nominated for Best Music Video, Best Cover Song and Best Male Vocalist.]

19. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear – “Started With a Family”
from: Started With a Family / Starts With Music, LLC / September 6. 2019
[Produced with Grammy-winner Nathan Chapman at iconic Blackbird Studios in Nashville. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear have garnered international acclaim, and new fans from all over the world. They signed with Glassnote Records and recorded their debut full length album in Nashville with acclaimed producer Jim Abiss. They performed their debut single “Silent Movies” on The Late Show with David Letterman, they’ve toured across the United States, and Europe, more than once. They were featured on CBS Sunday Morning, NBC’s The Today Show, and “Later With Jools Holland and played Bonnaroo, Pilgramage, and the Newport Folk Festival, and the Ryman Theatre, in Nashville. Ruth Ward has continually performed throughout her life, mostly in coffee shops and open mics, for over 30 years, even recording a solo record. In the midst of this she got married and became a mom, and was busy raising a family. Madisen Ward was born in Oklahoma, and grew up in the outskirts of Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 2007. Madisen’s journey to become a musician, was “melodically passed down” through the songs of his mother, where Madisen grew up watching his mom perform at local coffee shops. Eventually he began to learn to play the guitar, and poured his talent for writing into the music to create original songs. They began playing Madisen’s original songs along with the occasional cover of a classic track, reinterpreted in their own incredibly beautiful performance of two voices and two guitars in harmony and orchestration. Their debut album, The Skeleton Crew, was released May 9, 2015 and was our most played record that year and was #1 on WMM’s The 115 Best Recordings of 2015. Their follow up EP Radio Winners was released July 27, 2018 and received critical acclaim.] [Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear played Crossroads Music Fest, Sat., Sept 7, 2019, Crossroads KC, with Shy Boys, Split Lip Rayfield, The Freedom Affair.]

20. Phoebe Bridgers – “Kyoto”
from: Punisher / Dead Oceans / June 18, 2020
[Second album from Phoebe Bridgers who was born August 17, 1994, and is from Los Angeles, California. Bridgers released her major label debut 7″ on Ryan Adams record label, PAX AM. In early 2016, Bridgers supported Julien Baker on her 2016 East Coast tour. On September 22, 2017 Bridgers released her debut album, Stranger in the Alps. Followed by last year’s self titled, Better Oblivion Community Center, her musical project with Conor Oberst who made a cameo appearance for her Kansas City show at recordBar on April 9, 2018. Bridgers is a graduate of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. In 2014 she was featured in a commercial for the Apple iPhone singing a cover of “Gigantic” by the Pixies. In June 2017, Phoebe Bridgers signed to Dead Oceans. The Alps was produced by Tony Berg and Ethan Gruska.]

21. Scabb & Strings – “Mount (Radio Edit)”
from: Mount – Single / Manor Records / May 25, 2020
[Scabb & Strings is Sammy Hernandez (Scabb) and Shaun Crowley (Strings). Sammy Hernandez is the younger brother of Quinn Hernandez of the band Momma’s Boy. Shaun Crowley is the lead guitarist for Momma’s Boy and founder of Manor records and the Manor Fest. Produced & engineered by Scabb.]

22. Howard Iceberg & The Titanics – “The Majesty of Love”
from: Kansas City Songs Vol. 3 / Howard Iceberg & The Titanics / June 10, 2020
[More songs certified to have been written, performed, and recorded in Kansas City.-Howard Iceberg. All words and music by Howard Iceberg. Recorded and mixed by Brendan Moreland at Temple Sounds Studio; except “Natalie,” recorded and mixed by Pat Tomek at Largely Studios. Players: Howard Iceberg on lead vocals (except as noted), guitar; Chad Brothers on lead vocal (By Your Side), harmony vocal, guitar; Betse Ellis on lead vocal (Bottle of Rye), fiddle, harmony vox ; Clarke Wyatt on banjo, guitar, keyboards; Andrew Mojo Morris on lead vocal (Promises To Keep), harmony vocals, guitar, mandolin, banjo; Julie Bates-Motel on fiddle, harmony vocals; Chris DeVictor on bass; Phil Wade on dobro; Brendan Moreland on electric guitar; Brett Hodges on lead vocal and guitar (Natalie); Roger Eilts on guitar and harmony vocal (Natalie); Leo Eilts – bass and harmony vocal (Natalie); Erin Corriveau on harmony vocals.]

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

11:58 – Community Voices

Next week on Wednesday, July 8Sam Platt joins us to talk about the Ondist recording sessions in Kansas City for the band’s release No Coincidence on Bikiniwax Records released June 12, 2020. Sam put together a band together for some Kansas City sessions at Weights and Measures with Claire Adams, Eddie Moore DeAndre Manning and Jamie Anderson on guitar. The new Ondist record features theses Kansas City musicians, along with band founders Corbin, Nick and Maya.

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

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

Show #844

WMM presents: Black Light Animals + Johnny Hamil

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, July 1, 2020

Black Light Animals + Johnny Hamil
+ New & MidCoastal Releases

Mark plays more New & MidCoastal Releases from: Honeywagen, Jo Mackenzie, Calvin Arsenia, Black Light Animals, Black Stacey, Blackstarkids, We The People, In The Pines, Keisha Frazier, Tiny Spys, Betse & Clarke, Scabb & Strings, Ondist, Howard Iceberg & The Titanics, Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, Pamper The Madman, Phoebe Bridgers, The 1975, Dirty Projectors, and Jefferson Airplane.

Johnny Hamil

At 10:30 Kansas City based musician, composer, and teacher, Johnny Hamil joins to share details about KC BASS WORKSHOP, International Rabbath Institute, and International Society of Bassists proudly presenting: Bassists 4 Bassists “Do Not Stay Alone,” July 7 through July 11, 2020, an online Bass Workshop and BASS FEST live streaming for all levels and styles of music for double bass and electric bass. Classically trained bassist Johnny Hamil is one of the founding members of Mr. Marco’s V-7, he plays with Pamper The Madman, Stephonne Singleton, Mikal Shapiro and his GAV7D Project series of recordings. More information at http://www.kcbassworkshop.com

Black Light Animals “Playboys of The Western World”

At 11:00 Mark talks with Colby Bales & Cody Calhoun about their new musical project Black Light Animals and their ground breaking debut album, Playboys of The Western World, to be released on July 3, 2020. Formed from the ashes of their last band, Instant Karma the new record contains lush pop vocals crooned over spaghetti western riffs, psychedelic synth, and hip hop drums. Playboys of the Western World is a sprawling, decadent examination of what it means to be a human being through the lens of horror movie organs, spaghetti western guitars, hip hop grooves, psychedelic sojourns, and ballads crooned to lovers in the night. Colby also plays in the band The Freedom Affair. We will play the Black Light Animals newest singles: “Halo” and “Dark Fantasies.” More info at: http://www.blacklightanimalsband.bandcamp.com

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

Show #844

WMM’s 50 Favorite MidCoastal Releases of 2020…So Far (Part 1) + Oh Dear Oh My

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, June 17, 2020

WMM’s 50 Favorite MidCoastal Releases of 2020…So Far
+ Oh Dear Oh My

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]

Pedaljets

2. Pedaljets – “Disassociation Blues”
from: Twist The Lens / Electric Moth Records / February 14, 2020
[Twist The Lens was recorded in three main sessions, produced by the Pedaljets alongside their former lead guitarist Paul Malinowski (Shiner, Season To Risk). Though the Pedaljets core trio of Mike Allmayer, bassist Matt Kesler, and drummer Rob Morrow has remained a constant throughout their tenure as a band, they’ve worked with multiple lead guitarists throughout the years, with Twist The Lens being the first record to showcase their newest addition, Cody Wyoming. Bringing in Wyoming, and working alongside Malinowski, allowed the new songs to benefit from a fresh and outside perspective, while still keeping the album within the Pedaljets family. It also lent itself to a more utilitarian process where, as Allmayer describes, “We would constantly listen back and ask ourselves, ‘Are you hearing something this song needs?’ We were really focused on pushing ourselves to make the best music we can and being extra critical.” To round out the team, the band brought in veteran producer John Agnello (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., Kurt Vile) to mix the record and reunited with Archer Prewitt (The Sea and Cake) whose artwork has adorned the last three Pedaljets album covers.]

Katy Guillen

3. Katy Guillen & The Drive – “No Control”
from: Dream Girl [EP] / Katy Guillen / March 20, 2020
[New 7 song EP from Katy Guillen & The Drive, the latest project dedicated to Guillen’s songwriting that is founded on the creative spark and chemistry between Katy Guillen & Stephanie Williams. With Guillen on guitar & vocals and Williams on drums, the two sculpt a sound that recalls bands like Led Zeppelin, The Bangles, and Band of Skulls. In 2012, Guillen & Williams formed Katy Guillen and The Girls, and began to build a foundation of touring and recording that carried them through six years and produced three full-length albums: Katy Guillen & the Girls, Heavy Days, and Remember What You Knew Before. Between 2012 and 2018, they traveled the United States extensively, performed at the International Montreal Jazz Festival, toured Sweden, and supported major acts like The Doobie Brothers, Robin Trower, and Heartless Bastards. In these 6 years playing together, Guillen & Williams created a dynamic, sound informed by Guillen’s mesmerizing, emotive guitar style and poignant arrangements, and an equally captivating live show that showcased Williams’ technical, melodic style, resulting in a powerful on-stage chemistry. In addition to the compelling synergy formed by years of playing together, the two developed a method of working together on Guillen’s songs that only deepened their artistic connection, propelling them to forge a path to a new plateau in their music. KG & The Drive push ahead with a melodic, heavy, and soulful sound while maintaining the edge of the artist’s rock ‘n’ roll and blues roots. Guillen calls their genre-bending style “indie soul-rock.”]

Ebony Tusks

4. Ebony Tusks – “HDF”
from: HDF – Single / High Dive Records / February 7, 2020
[Ebony Tusks is Daniel Smith on DJ & Production, Geese Giesecke on vocals & Production, and Marty Hillard on vocals & Production. A rattling subwoofer is a sonic aberration, a byproduct of high volume that often results in a speaker system’s long-term damage. It takes the listening experience from exclusively aural to physical, evoking a range of reactions from listeners. This experience is bonded inextricably with rap music for both its fans and dissenters, a familiar beacon for some and an unwelcome nuisance for others. Marty was a cashier at Burger King while in high school, spending every Saturday morning working the drive-thru window. One of his best friends pulled up to the menu and filled the speaker with sounds from his 1972 Volkswagen Beetle’s cassette adapter. Marty’s headset was filled with hot, white noise. He knew it was a rap song but it was mutated to scorched earth. It also happened to come through the main speaker right inside the drive-thru window. His manager was not at all pleased, rushing quickly to turn it off. Marty and his friend laughed it off at the time. EBONY TUSKS is a compilation of moments like these. Daniel, Geese, & Marty are 3 people from the Midwest who take pleasure in the mutations of sound available in the least expected places.]

Una Walkenhorst

5. Una Walkenhorst – “Pretty Face”
from: Woman of The Year / Una Walkenhorst / April 16, 2020
[2nd single. 25 year old Una Walkenhorst is a singer/songwriter from Kansas City. Una told KCUR FM that her father was one of the people who made her love music. But having a famous father can be challenging: “I knew that if I started my music career here I would have a lot of opportunities, but not all of them would be because of my music. They would be because I am someone’s daughter,” Walkenhorst says. Loading up her 97 Honda Civic, Una then spent a year traveling across North America promoting her music and connecting with listeners one-on-one. She ended up living in New Orleans. Una Walkenhorst is the youngest daughter of Bob Walkenhorst, a founding member of The Rainmakers, which had national and international hits in the 1980s and 90s, and continue to this day touring and recording new music. In January of 2018 Una Walkenhorst returned home to Kansas City from New Orleans. Over the past several years, Una and Bob had performed together at selected events, including Folk Alliance International. In 2018 the father and daughter duo decided to record an album together, where they split the difference, taking turns as songwriters for the album’s songs, written individually, and recorded together, with beautiful harmonies.]

Radkey

6. Radkey – “Ain’t No Sunshine”
from: “Ain’t No Sunshine” – Single / Radkey / April 7, 2020
[Written by Bill Withers. 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.]

Ivory Blue

7. Ivory Blue – “Elite Dreamland”
from: “Elite Dreamland” – Single / Devin Robert Kesler / February 17, 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 2020. 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. 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 Ivory moved to Kansas City, and has became a part of new family.]

Blackstarkids

8. BLACKSTARKIDS – “Sounds Like Fun”
from: SURF / Bedroom Records / February 28, 2020
[Second album from, BlackStarKids, a pop/R&B/hip-hop group based in Kansas City, Missouri. Members include: TheBabeGabe, Deiondre, and TyFaizon (of the Drop Dead XX collective). The group released its first album, Let’s Play Sports, in 2019. Blackstarkids,recently caught the attention of The 1975’s frontman Matty Healy and now they’re signed to The 1975’s management company, Dirty Hit Records and they were just featured in Clash Magazine,]

10:29 – Underwriting

9. Fullbloods – “Soft and Virtual Touch”
from: Soft and Virtual Touch / High Dive Records / April 3, 2020
[3rd full-length album from, Fullbloods, a Kansas City based band with: Ross Brown; Jared Tomasino; David Seume; & Bill Pollock. Follow up to their February 26, 2016 release, Mild West. All songs written, performed, recorded, and mixed by Ross Brown (℗© 2019 Bargain Hunt Music / ASCAP) in Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering. Artwork created by Nika Winn. Kyle Rausch played drums on 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 9, sang on 9. Bill Pollock played drums on 3 and 5. David Seume played bass on 5. Jerad Tomasino played synth on 9 and 10, sang on 9. Jenni Kornfeld played cello on 4. Leslie Butsch played sax on 10. More information at: http://www.fullbloods.com.]

10. Saint Sé – “In/Out (feat. Allison Gliesman)”
from: In/Out (feat. Allison Gliesman) – Single / Benjiman Lucas Music / May 22, 2020
[Debut Single from Saint Sé. Written by: Lucas Carpenter & Allison Gliesman. Vocals by: Allison Gliesman. Music Produced by: Lucas Carpenter. Additional Production by: Zach Thomas. Mixed/Mastered by: Mark Francis Buergler. Visualizer created by Andy Thies.]

Miss Boating

11. Miss Boating – “Junk Food”
from: The Vhargon Sidestep / Miss Boating / January 1, 2020
[From the ashes of their former band The Sleazebeats, Charles Colborne and Bill Belzer faced a difficult 2019 when combined with the death of Charlie’s own beloved mother, their friend and bassist Evan Vhargon died. The band wrote that they “were lost when Evan passed.” Through the tough times Bill and Charlie kept playing and wrote that they “were blown away when Phil Dickey wanted to jam with us… the jamming turned into something more and we were going again. We couldn’t be more thankful and humbled.” Phil is part of the bands Dragon Inn 3, and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. Miss Boating is: Charlie Colborne on keyboards, guitar, vocals; Bill Belzer: drums, vocals; Phil Dickey on bass; Aaron Jones on trombone; Tim Gillespie on saxophone. Ross Brown served as engineering, did all of the mixing for The Vhargon Sidestep and Mike Nolte handled all of the mastering.]

Quiet Takes

12. Quiet Takes – “Wanted (The Dirty Windshield Version)”
from: “Wanted (Dirty Windshield Version)” – Single / Sarah Magill / May 1, 2020
[“Wanted” lives in the ellipses between acknowledging you want something you can’t have…and letting that desire go. The plan was to put this stripped-down version out in the fall after releasing its more produced twin on an EP this summer, but then everything changed. Beyond the pandemic’s catastrophic casualties, we are all grappling with lesser losses: plans, jobs, dreams, relationships, routines, shows, savings, physical touch. It seemed right to put this version out now. Sometimes we only realize what we want when it’s absent. That’s the gift in the grief, but it stings, doesn’t it? Music & Lyrics by Sarah Magill. Produced by David Bennett. Vocals & keyboards by Sarah Magill, guitars, & bass by David Bennett. Additional key by Ian Thompson. Engineered & mixed by David Bennett at Aorist Studios in Kansas City, Missouri. Mastered by Zach Hanson Quiet Takes (formerly MYRY) is an on-going collaborative music project by Sarah Magill a writer and musician based in Kansas City, Missouri. She performs with a rotating cast of friends—although these stay-at-home days, she is playing solo. In Kansas City, she is known for hosting house shows and co-founding Rubix, a performance art collective. The first EP, MYRY’s AHEM. Was release in 2018.. Quiet Takes has new music coming in 2020.] [Sarah Magill was on WMM on May 13.]

Hermon Mehari

13. Hermon Mehari – “A Conversation With My Uncle”
from: A Change For The Dreamlike / Hermon Mehari / June 5, 2020
[Hermon writes: “I spent “le confinement” creating this album in a barn in the French countryside. Like many people during this period, I wasn’t able to think much about the future, only the present and the past. These songs are therefore personal journal entries, versions and visions of my wishes, fantasies and memories. Together they create a kind of modern mixtape of dreams, in every sense of the word, in which my trumpet, all alone in that barn, is a vulnerable presence, virtually and masterly supported by some of my closest musical collaborators around the world.” Follow up to his debut solo release Bleu, from 2017. Hermon Mehari grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri, home of Lincoln University. He is a 2010 graduate of the University of Missouri – Kansas City Music Conservatory. In 2015 he finished first, at the prestigious Carmine Carusa International Jazz Trumpet Competition at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville Texas. Hermon was a semifinalist in the 2014 Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition. In 2014 he released the CD “Our Journey” with Diverse, which was recorded in Paris featuring Logan Richardson on alto saxophone. Hermon was also the winner of the 2008 National Trumpet Competiton and placed second in the International Trumpet Guild competition in Sydney, Australia. He splits his time between touring and playing all over the world and creative projects in Kansas City. Hermon has collaborated with Cat Mahari on BAM! the Workshop, he is also a founding member of Diverse Jazz, Diverse Trio, and The Buhs. He has played with Peter Schlamb, Making Movies, John Velghe & the Prodigal Sons, Mikal Shapiro, Krystle Warren. Hermon was featured on the world-renowned saxophonist Bobby Watson’s 2013 release, “Check Cashing Day”. More information at: http://www.hermonmehari.com ]

14. Miki P and The Swallowtails – “I”
from: I – Single / Miki P / February 13, 2020
[Rachel Lovelace on bassoon, Adee Dancy on cello & vocals, Cade Pool on drums, Robert Castillo on bass, and Miki P on guitar & lead Vocals. Each member is an integral part of the Kansas City music scene, writing, arranging, performing, and collaborating original music for their own groups and several other projects in the metro. “Introspective pop music with lyric-driven folk influences, mixed with collaborative energy & an odd pairing of instruments, Miki P locked in with the Swallowtails create a moment with music written and arranged from the heart.” Miki P started playing guitar in middle school. She taught herself to play the drums, while listening to Mitch Mitchell, Keith Moon and Ringo Starr. As a teen she played drums for various groups including American Slim. She wrote songs for their full-length album Irreplaceable released in 2017, followed by a single “Queen of Hearts” released April 11, 2018. She also plays ukulele & piano, teaching herself how to play both the instruments, using them frequently in all projects she is involved in. She was a featured vocalist with The Band That Fell to Earth Bowie Tribute. She’s played Boulevardia, Middle of the Map Fest, Royal’s Kaufman Stadium, recordBar, Uptown Theater, Arrowhead Stadium, Nelson Atkins Museum, the Crossroads Music Festival and the SXSW Music Fest More info at: http://www.mikipmusic.com .]

Fritz Hutchison

15. Fritz Hutchison – “Stationary”
from: Wide Wild Acres / Center Cut Records / March 27, 2020
[Debut album of Fritz Hutchison. Wild Wild Acres was written & performed by Fritz Hutchison. Produced by Fritz Hutchison and Joel Nanos. Recorded and mixed in Kansas City by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studio. Mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room in Chicago. Multi-instrumentalist Fritz Hutchison was born May 27, 1991. A life long resident of Kansas City. Since 2008 he’s been part of multiple bands playing drums with: She’s a Keeper, Freight Train Rabbit Killer, and Grand Marquis. As a guitarist he has played along side J Ashley Miller, Lauren Krum, Miki P and Calvin Arsenia. A decade of lending an ear and a hand to the likes of fellow shredders has left Fritz poised to launch his own solo career as a singer-songwriter.]

16. Lava Dreams – “Good Energy”
from: “Good Energy + Focus / Lava Dreams / June 13, 2020
[Written by Lava Dreams and produced by Duncan Burnett. Solo artist Lava Dreams aka Julia Hamilton writes songs influenced by pop, soul, RnB, jazz, trap, house, funk, reggae, rock, and world music. Hailing from Kansas City, MO, her guitar-based music is both dreamy & electric. Lava Dreams began writing lyrics and melodies as a young child. Growing up, she learned to play her first guitar chords from her father – who played around the house and in local bars. After playing guitar and singing in several Kansas City bands as a teenager, she set out to become a solo artist in 2018. Julia Hamilton is also a film maker who received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Film from Avila University. You can listen to Lava Dreams on Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Deezer, Google Play, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, or at LavaDreamsMusic.com ]

11:00 – Station ID

17. Oh Dear Oh My – “Marching”
from: ELECTRONERVES / Oh Dear Oh My / May 6, 2020
[Third release from Kansas City based dance rock duo made up of Rani & Curt. This is their follow up to ASHDLA’ released July 11, 2018. They’ve been playing locally for 5 years. Their album Ashdla’ was named for the Navajo word for Five. The EP had 5 tracks. Curt is himself Navajo. Oh Dear Oh My tend to lean towards the dark & dancy.]

OH DEAR OH MY

11:03 – Interview with Rani & Curt of Oh Dear Oh My

Oh Dear Oh My released their third EP – ELECTRONERVES on May 6, 2020. The Kansas City based dance-rock-duo is made up of Rani and Curt. They’ve been playing locally for over five years. This new release is the follow-up to their 2018 release, ASHDLA’ named for the Navajo word for five. The EP had 5 tracks and band member Curt is himself Navajo. Fueled by anxiety and excess energy, dynamic duo Oh Dear Oh My rocks! Curt pounds spicy, far-out beats on his drums, while Rani keeps pace with sweet 80’s synthesizer sounds. The end result is a little dark, a little dancey, and a little funny.

From Oh Dear Oh My were have Rani, thanks for being with us on WMM.

Curt and Rani met in Lawrence. Both had played on previous bands. A friend thought they had a lot in common, so he invited them to meet up.

The band was originally called Cupcake, but when the duo discovered that a band in St. Joe had this name Curt suggested they become Oh Dear Oh My.

Curt grew up in the Navajo community in Arizona. He came to Lawrence, Kansas originally to go to Haskell University.

Rani works at a hospital in health care and research.

Curt and Rani have been playing in Kansas City for five years,

Oh Dear Oh My released their third EP – ELECTRONERVES on May 6, 2020.

More information at http://www.OhDearOhMy.Bandcamp.com

11:15

18. Oh Dear Oh My – “Soak Your Head”
from: ELECTRONERVES / Oh Dear Oh My / May 6, 2020
[Third release from Kansas City based dance rock duo made up of Rani & Curt. This is their follow up to ASHDLA’ released July 11, 2018. They’ve been playing locally for 5 years. Their album Ashdla’ was named for the Navajo word for Five. The EP had 5 tracks. Curt is himself Navajo. Oh Dear Oh My tend to lean towards the dark & dancy.]

19. Sterling Witt – “Hag-Ridden”
from: Something’s Awry / Grand River Records Records / April 10, 2020
[All songs written by Sterling Witt. Copyright 2020 Disheartened Music (ASCAP). Produced by Sterling Witt. Recorded by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios, Kansas City Missouri. Sterling Witt on vocals & guitar, Kitten A. Boggs on bass & vocals, Evan Verploegh on drums. http://www.SterlingWitt.com ]

Nan Turner on the June 3, 2020 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI 90.1 FM.

20. Nan & the One Nite Stands – “Desert Nites”
from: “Desert Nites” – Single / Nan Turner / May 22, 2020
[Written by Nan Turner. Recorded by Mark “Dragon” Ospovat @ SpeakerSonic Studios in Brooklyn, NY. Additional recording and mixing and production by Chase Horseman @ Winky World Studios in Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Ian Dobyns. Nan Turner on Vocals and beats – Nan Turner; Mark Ospovat ongGuitar; percussion; Chase Horseman on Wurlitzer, bass, & synthesizers; Dawn Yoder and Tracy Flowers on back up vocals. Nan writes: “I learned about existentialism at a young age. My Dad was a Philosophy Professor. Waiting for Godot and Archibald MacLeish’s J.B. were in my Ballet Bag for years. My mother + stepfather are libertarian folk that went to church, shot guns, and sold Amway. I’m not saying this song is about any of that. But it’s also NOT NOT about that. I started recording this song in 2017 with my good friend and collaborator Mark Ospovat in Brooklyn, NY. We laid down the foundation tracks of beat, guitar and vocals. Then I let the song lie…..because I didn’t know how to finish it or where it fit in my oeuvre. I almost wrote ovaries. That too. (You do know that songs are like babies, right?) Cut to March 2020, Kansas City. Chase Horseman and I unearthed the tracks right before the quarantine. He sat down at the Wurlitzer and played some notes and suddenly the song made sense to me. Of course it needed Wurlitzer! Through Chase’s arrangements of keys and other instrumentation, and Dawn and Tracy’s backup vocals (shoutout to KC one nite stand dancers extraordinaire)…I knew the song was finally there and it was time to release it into the world.Thanks so much to both Mark Ospovat and Chase Horseman for helping me realize the song’s potential and also for adding your own inventive arrangements. It was a One Nite Stands Magical Collaboration from NYC to Kansas City. BOOM. Nan Turner is one half of the critically acclaimed band Schwervon! Nan has been called the “Lucy Ricardo of Indie Rock. This is aa follow up to Nan’s solo EP Champs and Losers, Version 2 released July 12, 2019 Recorded, Mixed, and Co-Produced at Winky World in Kansas City, by Chase Horseman. Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music, New Windsor, NY. Ian Dobyns plays drums and Chase Horseman plays bass. More Info at: http://www.nanturner.bandcamp.com]

21. Oxford Remedy – “Again”
from: For Those Who Know, Tell Me What I’m Supposed To Do / Oxford Remedy / May 1, 2020
[Debut EP from Kansas City based band. Written and performed by: Kate Mckown on guitar, Grace Mckown on guitar, Sydney Aldridge on bass, and Brody Washam on drums. Mixed and mastered by Braxton Matlock. Cover art by Jesse Solomon.]

22. Brandon Phillips & The Condition – “Contrition”
from: “Contrition” – Single / Brandon Phillips & The Condition / June 16, 2020
[The first release of the band’s Summer Singles 2020 Series. Brandon Phillips , Adam Phillips , Brent Kastler , Mike Alexander , Julie Berndsen , Julia Haile , and Nathan Showalter. Recorded and Mastered at Element Recording and Mastering with Joel Nanos. Mixed by Brandon Phillips. Art by Jud Kite. Follow up to their April 13, 2019 Too Much Rock release, “Angel Say No” / “People Talk” 7” single release. The group is inspired by Elvis Costello and the “girl groups” of Motown Records. This is a project of Brandon Phillips (The Architects, The Gadjits, Other Americans) and features an ensemble cast along with other musicians from other bands.]

11:29 – Underwriting

Betse & Clarke

23. Betse & Clarke – “We Can Get Across”
from: Winter / Betse & Clarke / June 4, 2020
[A collection of songs and tunes, including original compositions, traditional songs and fiddle tunes, and modern songs re-envisioned. This recording was compiled during winter 2020, with a feeling of introspection. Songs under copyright were properly licensed for this digital release. Regular folks, exceptional music: This duo from the heartland (Kansas City, Missouri) has its roots in Ozark old time music, honoring traditional songs and tunes that resonate with human experience. New compositions add compelling elements to their musical tapestry. Follow up to the duo’s 2017 release, Tunes We Like released only in analog on cassette. Betse & Clarke are a traditional and future folk duo with Betse Ellis on fiddles, violins, viola & vocals and Clarke Wyatt on banjos, guitar, cello, multi-instruments. Betse & Clarke have played and toured around the world. Individually their musical roots go deep in the KC music scene. Clarke Wyatt is a founding member of Mr. Marco’s V7, and Betse Ellis is a founding member of The Wilders. Last year Betse & Clarke released ”River Still Rise,” originals and reworked traditional compositions presented “to be enjoyed as a musical adventure, much like the river exploration of the famous duo Lewis & Clark, an inspiration for the band’s name.” http://www.betseandclarke.com]

24. Howard Iceberg & The Titanics – “Bottle of Rye” [Betse Ellis on lead vocals]
from: Kansas City Songs Vol. 3 / Howard Iceberg & The Titanics / June 10, 2020
[More songs certified to have been written, performed, and recorded in Kansas City.-Howard Iceberg. All words and music by Howard Iceberg. Recorded and mixed by Brendan Moreland at Temple Sounds Studio; except “Natalie,” recorded and mixed by Pat Tomek at Largely Studios. Players: Howard Iceberg on lead vocals (except as noted), guitar; Chad Brothers on lead vocal (By Your Side), harmony vocal, guitar; Betse Ellis on lead vocal (Bottle of Rye), fiddle, harmony vox ; Clarke Wyatt on banjo, guitar, keyboards; Andrew Mojo Morris on lead vocal (Promises To Keep), harmony vocals, guitar, mandolin, banjo; Julie Bates-Motel on fiddle, harmony vocals; Chris DeVictor on bass; Phil Wade on dobro; Brendan Moreland on electric guitar; Brett Hodges on lead vocal and guitar (Natalie); Roger Eilts on guitar and harmony vocal (Natalie); Leo Eilts – bass and harmony vocal (Natalie); Erin Corriveau on harmony vocals. Follow up to Howard’s 2017/2018 release Netherland’s his Jazz infused album recorded with Rich Hill, Bryan Hicks , Doug Auwarter and others. Legendary Kansas City Singer Songwriter – Howard Eisberg records and performs under the name Howard iceberg. Heis one of the most prolific and poetic songwriters of the Kansas City music scene. He has written hundreds, possibly thousands of songs. Howard has done all of this while also leading a distinguished career as an immigration attorney, and he has donated much of his time and music to valuable projects that serve our community. Howard Iceberg began performing in coffeehouses in the late 1980s with fellow area independent songwriters Scott Hrabko and Iris DeMent. Over the past three decades he has released countless CDs, and recorded multiple collections of songs. In 2011, Howard Iceberg & The Titanics released a seven CD, box set, of 106 new songs, all instant classics. In 2014 he released a collection called Spring 2014, on his birthday May 9, 2015 he released, Smooth Sailing which included 13 new songs. In September 2016 Howard released a 2 CD set of 26 new tracks called, “Kansas City Songs.”]

25. Howard Iceberg & The Titanics – “A Jukebox in a Bar”
from: Kansas City Songs Vol. 3 / Howard Iceberg & The Titanics / June 10, 2020
[More songs certified to have been written, performed, and recorded in Kansas City.-Howard Iceberg. All words and music by Howard Iceberg. Recorded and mixed by Brendan Moreland at Temple Sounds Studio; except “Natalie,” recorded and mixed by Pat Tomek at Largely Studios. Players: Howard Iceberg on lead vocals (except as noted), guitar; Chad Brothers on lead vocal (By Your Side), harmony vocal, guitar; Betse Ellis on lead vocal (Bottle of Rye), fiddle, harmony vox ; Clarke Wyatt on banjo, guitar, keyboards; Andrew Mojo Morris on lead vocal (Promises To Keep), harmony vocals, guitar, mandolin, banjo; Julie Bates-Motel on fiddle, harmony vocals; Chris DeVictor on bass; Phil Wade on dobro; Brendan Moreland on electric guitar; Brett Hodges on lead vocal and guitar (Natalie); Roger Eilts on guitar and harmony vocal (Natalie); Leo Eilts – bass and harmony vocal (Natalie); Erin Corriveau on harmony vocals.]

Sam Wells

26. Sam Wells – “Sugar”
from: “Sugar” – Single / Sam Wells / April 21, 2020
[Produced at the Lawrence Kansas Public Library recording studio. It was only a decade ago, Sam Wells sat in her bedroom learning the Corrine Bailey Ray classic “Put Your Records On”. This was all it took to ignite a lifetime love affair with music. Now based in Lawrence KS, the singer-songwriter brings her Folk-Americana sound to the greater Kansas City area. With her smooth and sultry voice and the warm tones of a baritone ukulele, she shares stories of love, loss and everything in between. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Sam Wells is now based in Lawrence, Kansas where she is bringing her music to the greater Kansas City area, in many venues, and now in live stream shows. Folk Americana singer and songwriter Sam Wells joins us to talk about her first two singles, “Lesson Learned” (her debut) and “Sugar” (her latest) that is “full of energy and funk.” These two tracks are leading up to the release of Sam’s first EP, “Not Too Broken,” be released in August, 2020. More info at: http://www.whoissamwells.com]

The Republic Tigers

27. The Republic Tigers – “Trust Fall”
from: Mind Over Matter / The Record Machine / June 5, 2020
[Hailing from Kansas City, MO, The Republic Tigers spike their lushly orchestrated indie rock with organic and synthetic elements. Founder Kenn Jankowski originally moved to Kansas City in 1999 and began playing guitar for The People, a band that later changed its name to The Golden Republic (Astralwerks Records). He also made fast friends with local musicians Ryan Pinkston and Adam McGill; and when The Golden Republic disbanded seven years later, he opted to launch his pop-based project with the other two multi-instrumentalists. Taking their name from Jankowski’s high school mascot, The Republic Tigers expanded their lineup with bassist Marc Pepperman and drummer Justin Tricomi. Electronic structures remained to play an important role in their music (via convenience/sensible creation-farming/forming), and the band issued a self-titled EP in late 2007 before putting the finishing touches on Keep Color, which arrived in 2008. Then there was a cool EP in 2011 titled “No Land’s Man” which featured the emo smash hit “The Infidel” and the extremely fun “Merrymake It With Me”. And then a second concept LP was concocted, “Mind Over Matter” – written from the year 2008 to the year 2011. Mixed and mastered in the year 2012. But then it was sadly shelved by the original labels. Which leads us to now, the year is 2020. Something new is going to happen. “Mind Over Matter” will be released on hometown indie label The Record Machine.]

28. The Freedom Affair – “Imagine”
from: “Imagine” – Single / Sunflower Soul Records / March 20, 2020
[Music & Lyrics by John Lennon. The Freedom Affair is a project of Chris Hazelton of Sunflower Soul Records and Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7. The Freedom Affair is: Misha Roberts on vocals, Seyko Groves on vocals, Paula Saunders on vocals, Cole Bales on guitar, Branden Moser on guitar, Chris Hazelton on bass, Dave Brick on drums, Pete Carroll on trumpet, and Brett Jackson on saxophone. Additional musicians include: Matt Bennett on violin, and Alyssa Bell in viola. Arranged, Produced, Recorded, & Mixed by Chris Hazelton. Mastered by Adam Boose at Cauliflower Audio. The Freedom Affair and their track “Rise Up” were selected to be part of Colemine Records 3xLP box set, “Soul Slabs Vol. 2” a Record Store Day Exclusive, released April 13, 2019. Colemine Records writes: “The Freedom Affair is a freight train of Kansas City soul! Dirty, funky drums, gritty horns, and the combined vocals of Misha Roberts, Seyko Groves, and Paula Saunders to put this band over the top. Politically charged soul music for the dancefloor!”]

29. The MGDs – “Tomorrow Comes Soon”
from: Midtown / The MGDs / March 26, 2020
[Midtown is the MGDs fourth full length release following, Somos Como Somos, from November 4, 2017. The band includes: Matt Davis on drums, percussion & vocals; Greg Bush on bass; Damon Parker on keyboards & vocals; Scott “Snoof” Middleton on guitar; Rudy Vasquez on saxophones; and Eric Martens on trumpet. This Kansas City based 6-piece band that mixes piano and brass with a dynamic rhythm section that adds a unique flavor to the iconic Kansas City music culture, blending of funk and blues with soulful stylings. In what started as a 3-piece between longtime friends Matt, Greg and Damon in 2008, the MGDs have evolved into a potent powerhouse, high-energy ensemble with regular monthly appearances at the Phoenix, and appearances at the Sunset Music Fest, the City Market Crawfish Fest, the 6th annual Phoenix Fest, Crossroads Music Fest, Middle of The Map Fest, Boulevardia, The Plaza Art Fair, Kauffman Stadium before two Kansas City Royals games. In 2016 the band released, “Wake Up” their 2nd full length studio album.]

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

11:58 – Arts Calendar

Next week on Wednesday, June 24 we present (part two) of WMM’s Favorite MidCoastal Releases of 2020…So Far. We’ll hear from The Sluts, Misha Roberts, City Pets, Ingrid Ingram, Broken Hearts Syndrome, Hi-Lux, Adam Scott York, Ivy Roots, The Roseline, Amy Marcus, Jake Wells, They Call Me Sauce featuring Mae C, Monta At Odds, R.I. Peter, Belle And The Vertigo Waves, Koney, The Guillotine Choir, Jo Mackenzie, Soultru, jordana, DeMaur, Stacy Busch, Nick Siegel, and Kadesh Flow. Plus we will talk with musician, composer, activist Stacy Busch.

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

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

Show #842

WMM’s 50 Favorite MidCoastal Releases of 2020…So Far

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, June 17, 2020

WMM’s 50 Favorite MidCoastal Releases of 2020…So Far
+ Oh Dear Oh My

Mark plays (Part 1) of WMM’s 50 Favorite MidCoastal Releases of 2020…So Far. This week we’ll spin tracks from: Una Walkenhorst, Blackstarkids, Fullbloods, Hermon Mehari, Pedaljets, Ebony Tusks, Ivory Blue, Radkey, Saint Sé, Sam Wells, The Republic Tigers, The Freedom Affair, Nan & the One Nite Stands, Oh Dear Oh My, Katy Guillen & The Drive, Fritz Hutchison, Quiet Takes, Miss Boating, Miki P & The Swallowtails, Brandon Phillips & The Condition, Betse & Clarke, Sterling Witt, Lava Dreams, MGDs, and Howard Iceberg & The Titanics.

OH DEAR OH MY

At 11:00 we will talk with members of the band, Oh Dear Oh My who released their third EP ELECTRONERVES on May 6, 2020. The Kansas City based dance-rock-duo is made up of Rani and Curt. They’ve been playing locally for over five years. This new release is the follow up to their 2018 release, ASHDLA’ named for the Navajo word for five. The EP had 5 tracks and band member Curt is himself Navajo. Fueled by anxiety and excess energy, dynamic duo Oh Dear Oh My rocks! Curt pounds spicy, far-out beats on his drums, while Rani keeps pace with sweet 80’s synthesizer sounds. The end result is a little dark, a little dancey, and a little funny.

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

Show #842

WMM Playlist from June 10, 2020

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, June 10, 2020

Music Of The Movement
+ Marion Merritt + Betse Ellis +
Sterling Witt

As Pete Seeger wrote: “Songs gave them the courage to believe they would not fail.” WMM features music of and inspired by The Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter Movement.

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

2. Sweet Honey in The Rock, Aaron Neville, Lamar Campbell & Spirit of Praise – “Ella’s Song”
from: Soundtrack to Boycott / HBO / February 13, 2001
[Song written by Bernice Johnson Reagon, one of the founders of Sweet Honey in The Rock. Boycott is a critically acclaimed 2001 film staring Jeffrey Wright as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Terrence Howard as Ralph Abernathy, and CCH Pounder as Jo Ann Robinson.]

10:06 – 2020 Spring Fund Drive Edition Pledge Break #1

Guest Fund Drive Co-Hosts: Betse Ellis and Marion Merritt

Betse Ellis

Betse Ellis is originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Music and a Bachelors of Arts in English, from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She has been playing the Violin for over 40 years, with over 20 years playing fiddle and also working as a teacher of music. Betse was one of the founding members of the critically acclaimed and internationally known band, The Wilders. Betse has released two solo records, and for the last several years is recording and performing with her partner, multi-instrumentalist Clarke Wyatt, as Betse & Clarke. Betse Ellis is also part of the Short Round Stringband, the 5-piece band that last year released a 14-track album called, Ain’t No Part of Nothin’ that is a musical tribute to Bill Monroe.

Betse Ellis, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Marion Merritt

Marion Merritt is our most frequent contributor to WMM, She grew up in Los Angeles, and St. Louis. She went to college in Columbia, Missouri. She studied art and musical engineering, and is a avid lover of classic films and punk rock music. She saw Talking Heads on their first U.S. tour when they played One Block West in 1978. For 16 years she has been sharing her musical discoveries and information from her musically-encyclopedic brain on Wednesday MidDay Medley. Marion has joined us for every on-air fund drive to help raise funds for the MidCoast Radio Project. With her partner Ann Stewart, Marion is the proprietor of Records With Merritt, at 1614 Westport Rd. in Kansas City, Missouri. Records With Merritt features new vinyl releases, in-store performances from young and upcoming bands, holds meetings for a vinyl listening club, and was once the location for a wedding, and a 30th birthday party. More information at: http://www.recordwithmerritt.com

Marion Merritt, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Non-Commercial, Community Radio, means that three times a year, we interrupt our regularly scheduled programming, to ask YOU our beautiful-listeners, to help us continue 90.1 FM’s unique mission an, 24-7 programming. 90.1 FM KKFI is celebrating our 32nd year on the airwaves. While the spirit of this station is kept alive by hundreds of volunteers who passionately donate their time and abilities to keep the transmission of our 100,000-watt-signal alive. We are a operated by a not-for-profit organization, incorporated over 40 years ago, called The MidCoast Radio Project. We’re non-profit, but we still have to pay the electric bill, the rent on our fully accessible production studios and offices, insurance, staff, royalties, production expenses. Even though we have hundreds of committed volunteers, who donate thousands of hours every year, producing radio shows, answering phones, creating websites, producing benefits, rewiring the board, setting up our computer system, we still need YOU, our listener.

YOU are the reason we are able to stay alive. Volunteers are waiting to hear from YOU right now. It only takes a few minutes. Call 888-931-0901. You can also visit us at http://www.kkfi.org, or call 888-931-0901 to support Kansas City Community Radio 90.1 FM.

Last year on WMM conducted 127 interviews, with 209 special guests.

10:14 – Music Of The Movement

3. Solomon Burke – “None Of Us Are Free”
from: Don’t Give Up On Me / Fat Possum / 2002
[Back up singers: The Blind Boys of Alabama. Born James Solomon McDonald, March 21, 1940, Solomon Burke died October 10, 2010. He was an American preacher & singer, who shaped the sound of rhythm & blues as one of the founding fathers of soul music in the 1960s and a “key transitional figure in the development of soul music from rhythm & blues. During the 55 years that he performed professionally, Burke released 38 studio albums on at least 17 record labels and had 35 singles that charted in the US, including 26 singles that made the Billboard R&B charts. In 2001, Burke was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a performer. His album Don’t Give Up on Me won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album at the 45th Grammy Awards in 2003. By 2005 Burke was credited with selling 17 million albums.]

4. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – “This Land is Your Land”
from: Naturally / Daptone / 2005 [written by Woody Guthrie.]
[In November 2016, Sharon Jones suffered a stroke while watching the 2016 United States presidential election results and another the following day. Jones remained alert and lucid during the initial period of her hospital stay, jokingly claiming that the news of Donald Trump’s victory was responsible for her stroke. She died on November 18, 2016, in Cooperstown, New York, aged 60. Sharon Lafaye Jones was born May 4, 1956 and died this year on November 18, 2016. She was an American soul and funk singer. Although she collaborated with Lou Reed, David Byrne and others, she is best known as lead singer of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, a soul and funk band based in Brooklyn, New York. Jones experienced breakthrough success relatively late in life, releasing her first record when she was 40 years old. In 2014, Jones was nominated for her first Grammy, in the category Best R&B Album, for Give the People What They Want. Jones was born in Augusta, Georgia, the daughter of Ella Mae Price Jones and Charlie Jones, living in adjacent North Augusta, South Carolina. Jones was the youngest of six children; her siblings are Dora, Charles, Ike, Willa and Henry. Jones’s mother raised her deceased sister’s four children as well as her own. She moved the family to New York City when Sharon was a young child. As children, she and her brothers would often imitate the singing and dancing of James Brown. Her mother happened to know Brown, who was also from Augusta.Jones grew up in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. In 1975, she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn. She attended Brooklyn College. A regular gospel singer in church, Jones often entered talent shows backed by local funk bands in the early 1970s. Session work then continued with backing vocals, often credited to Lafaye Jones, but in the absence of any recording contract as a solo singer, she spent many years working as a corrections officer at Rikers Island and as an armored car guard for Wells Fargo, until receiving a mid-life career break in 1996 after she appeared on a session backing the soul and deep funk legend Lee Fields. Sharon Jones was part of the very beginning of Daptone Records Daptone Records’ first release was a full-length album by Sharon Jones. A new band, the Dap-Kings, was formed from the former members of the Soul Providers and the Mighty Imperials. Some of the musicians went on to record for Lehman’s Soul Fire label, while some formed the Budos Band, an Afro-beat band. From the original Soul Providers, Roth (also known as Bosco Mann) on bass, guitarist and emcee Binky Griptite, percussionist Fernando Velez, trumpet player Anda Szilagyi and organist Earl Maxton were joined by original Mighty Imperials saxophonist Leon Michels and drummer Homer Steinweiss, plus Neal Sugarman from Sugarman 3, to form The Dap-Kings. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, the released the album Dap Dippin’ with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings in May of 2002, , for which they received immediate attention and acclaim from enthusiasts, DJs and collectors. Next they released, Naturally (2005), 100 Days, 100 Nights (2007) and I Learned the Hard Way (2010). They are seen by many as the spearhead of a revival of soul and funk.]

10:24 – Pledge Break #2

Our WMM Spring Fund Drive Team: Marion Merritt and Betse Ellis

10:32 – Underwriting

10:34 – Music Of The Movement

5. Bobby Watson & The I Have a Dream Project–”Check Cashing Day” [feat. Glenn North]
from: Check Cashing Day / Lafiya Music / Aug. 28, 2013
[From wikipedia.org: “Bobby Watson was born in Lawrence, Kansas, August 23, 1953. he is an American post-bop jazz alto saxophonist, composer, producer, and educator. Watson now has 27 recordings as a leader. He appears on nearly 100 other recordings as either co-leader or in a supporting role. Watson has recorded more than 100 original compositions. Watson grew up in Bonner Springs and Kansas City, Kansas.]

6. Krystle Warren – “Move!”
from: Three The Hard Way / Parlour Door Music / August 18, 2017
[Produced by Krystle Warren and Ben Kane (D’Angelo, Emily King, PJ Morton). Recorded, engineered, and mixed by Ben Kane. Written & performed by Krystle Warren. Mixed at The Garden, Brooklyn. Mastered & cut by Alex DeTurk at Masterdisk. Last year in Krystle Warren premiered this song and her other new songs from this album at the Middle of the Map Fest in a packed room at Californos in Westport and later at The Polsky Theatre for the Performing Arts Series of Johnsons County Community College. For this record Krystle decided to play every instrument and vocals & back up vocals, “playing bass, drums, lap steel, piano, guitar, and vocals directly to analog tape. She and Ben Kane recorded in Villetaneuse, France, a small town on the outskirts of Paris in a vintage 70s era studio that offered just the right, rich sound to suggest the musical foundation for the record, and to do justice to the duo’s carefully balanced arrangements.” On the radio show last year Krystle shared inspirations for this record, early gospel recordings, that crossed over into Jazz from Pharoah Sanders, Edwin Hawkins, and The Swan Silvertones. Originally from KC, Krystle learned to play the guitar by listening to Rubber Soul & Revolver from The Beatles. Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy in 2001 and began her musical career in collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians. After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label, Because Music, and moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played French and British television programs, including Later with Jools Holland, garnering critical acclaim and traveling all over the world with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman. Krystle created, Parlour Door Music, to release “Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace” a recording from a 13-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections.]

10:44 – Pledge Break #3

Our WMM Spring Fund Drive Team: Marion Merritt and Betse Ellis

Thank you to: Elizabeth Mayer, K.C. Compton, John Long, Garth Matthes, Matt Kesler, Kathi Callahan Welch, Jack Phillips, Joel Nanos

10:52 – Music Of The Movement

7. Radkey – “Ain’t No Sunshine”
from: “Ain’t No Sunshine” – Single / Radkey / April 7, 2020
[Written by Bill Withers. 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.]

[Radkey plays RADKEY LIVE AND LOUD – LIVE STREAMING FROM RECORDBAR’S STAGE, Friday, June 12, 2020 at 8 PM – 10 PM, recordBar, 1520 Grand Boulevard, KCMO. The stream will be free on Facebook Live, IG Live and youtube. We are requesting donations through this page. We’ll be back open in late July. Stay safe, stay healthy.]

8. Hi-Lux – “Revolution”
from: Revolution / Get What You Give – Single / The Record Machine / March 6, 2020
[This KC based band is lead by singer Julia Haile, with Tim Braun on guitar, Nick Howell on keys, Dan Loftus on bass and Kian Bryne on drums. Hi-Lux is a Modern-Soul band that blends and bends the boundaries between soul, rock n roll, reggae, and funk. This group aims to create music that pays tribute to their myriad of influences (Amy Winehouse, The Meters, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings) but also claims a spotlight of its own in the musical world. After a string os single releases, including one on 7” vinyl through Sunflower Soul Records, followed by the release of their self-titled EP, Hi-Lux has introduced an eclectic and impressive collection of songs to give the world a small taste of what’s to come. Hi-Lux is on a journey of musical discovery, mixing old and new to create something unique.]

9. Sterling Witt – “Werewolf”
from: Something’s Awry / Grand River Records Records / April 10, 2020
[All songs written by Sterling Witt. Copyright 2020 Disheartened Music (ASCAP). Produced by Sterling Witt. Recorded by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios, Kansas City Missouri. Sterling Witt on vocals & guitar, Kitten A. Boggs on bass & vocals, Evan Verploegh on drums. Grand River Records PO BOX 193 , Freeman MO 64746. http://www.SterlingWitt.com http://www.GrandRiverRecords.com ]

11:00 – Station ID

11:00 – Interview with Sterling Witt

KC based artist & musician Sterling Witt who joins us to share music and information about his new recording, “Something’s Awry” – twelve terrifying songs about monsters, cryptids, demons, parasites and the most unfortunate situations. The 12 songs are based on characters Sterling is writing and editing into a new book that relates to the album. ”Something’s Awry: Ting Tong and Other Terrifying Tales,” features art work by Witt. More info at: http://www.sterlingwitt.com

Sterling Witt Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Sterling Witt is an artist and musician. He lives in Missouri at the Art Farm near Freeman, MO (about 45 min south of KC).

Something’s Awry – Produced by Sterling Witt – Recorded by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios, Kansas City Missouri.

Sterling Witt – vocals, guitar, Kitten A. Boggs – bass, vocals , Evan Verploegh – drums

Grand River Records, PO BOX 193, Freeman MO 64746

http://www.SterlingWitt.com http://www.GrandRiverRecords.com

“Originality is a hard thing to come by these days; and not a word we use lightly, but it has to be said – Sterling Witt is IT.” -Indie Music Magazine

Since 2004 Sterling Witt has released five full-length albums and one 8-song EP, along with several singles. Witt’s latest album, “Satyagraha” was produced by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago, Illinois. Sterling is currently preparing for his first museum show at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Sterling Witt Discography

April 2020 – Something’s Awry
Oct 2015 – Satyagraha
Oct 2012 – Sterling Loves U
Aug 2009 – Shadows & Secrets
Aug 2006 – Sea Things
Oct 2004 – Self Portrait
Jan 2009 – Skeleton

Sterling told Nick Spack of The Pitch KC, “I’m in the final stages of writing and editing a book right now that relates to my album,” Witt says. “The album has 12 songs and the book has 24 stories and poems. Half of those stories I turned into songs to make the album Something’s Awry. – I was still writing the stories—half of which turned out to be poems that rhyme,” Witt continues. “All those poems sounded like they could be songs to me and my first thought was to keep the words to the songs in the same order as the poems, so that the story could be understood from listening to the song.”

Witt says that Something’s Awry, the album, can be thought of as being like an amped up audio book, with all the musical arrangements dictated by the words: “There are many oddities in the music and vocal melodies that happen just once. Maintaining the stories was the only rule I gave myself while turning them into songs: The words made me do it.”

The Art Farm is an isolated oasis in the country designed for making art and music. Sterling does not have Internet or TV.

Since 2004 Sterling Witt has released six full-length albums and one 8-song EP, along with several singles. Witt’s last album, “Satyagraha” was produced by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago, Illinois

Sterling Witt Thanks for being with us on WMM

Sterling Witt’s Something’s Awry is available now at sterlingwitt.bandcamp.com, with vinyl and compact disc versions coming later this year.

11:12

10. Sterling Witt – “Kelpie”
from: Something’s Awry / Grand River Records Records / April 10, 2020
[All songs written by Sterling Witt. Copyright 2020 Disheartened Music (ASCAP). Produced by Sterling Witt. Recorded by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios, Kansas City Missouri. Sterling Witt on vocals & guitar, Kitten A. Boggs on bass & vocals, Evan Verploegh on drums. Grand River Records PO BOX 193 , Freeman MO 64746. http://www.SterlingWitt.com http://www.GrandRiverRecords.com ]

11:15 – Pledge Break #4

This is WMM’s Spring Fund Drive Show with Marion Merritt & Betse Ellis.

Thank you to: Jennifer C. Owen, Joyce Downing, Bob Walkenhorst, Katherine Torbett, Matt Richey, Jon Cupit, Joelle St. Pierre, Kieth Clark, Jan Kohl

Earlier in the show we heard Krystle Warren. We were the first to play her music on the radio. Mark interviewed Krystle on KKFI in early 2002. During a winter snow storm, at a huge party where Krystle played with longtime friend Solomon Dorsey on bass, in a packed, smoke filled apartment, near Community Christian Church, Mark waited hours for a 2 song demo, that contained a song called “Chanel #5.” Krystle has since gone on to tour all over the world, but maintains contact with her hometown of KC. Krystle’s critically acclaimed album, Three The Hard Way was #1 on WMM’s 117 Best Recordings of 2017. WMM was the first to play tracks from Krystle’s album.

KKFI’s Mission Statement: KKFI is the Kansas City area’s independent, noncommercial community radio station. We seek to stimulate, educate and entertain our audience, to reflect the diversity of the local and world community, and to provide a channel for individuals and groups, issues and music that have been overlooked, suppressed or under-represented by other media.

KKFI’s Philosophy Statement: KKFI is committed to diversity in programming and discourse and seeks to create a climate of mutual respect and collaboration among volunteers and staff.

11:23 – Music Of The Movement

11. The Staple Singers – “When Will We Be Paid”
from: Single / Stax (Fantasy / Ace) / 1967
[The Staple Singers were an American gospel, soul and R&B singing group. Roebuck “Pops” Staples (December 28, 1914 – December 19, 2000), the patriarch of the family, formed the group with his children Cleotha (April 11, 1934 – February 21, 2013),[Pervis (b. 1935), and Mavis (b. 1939). Yvonne (October 23, 1937 – April 10, 2018) replaced her brother when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, and again in 1970. They are best known for their 1970s hits “Respect Yourself”, “I’ll Take You There”, “If You’re Ready (Come Go with Me)”, and “Let’s Do It Again”. While the family name is Staples, the group used “Staple” commercially. // First child to Roebuck “Pops” Staples and his wife Oceola Staples, Cleotha was born in Drew, Mississippi in 1934. Two years later, Roebuck moved his family from Mississippi to Chicago. Roebuck and Oceola’s children, son Pervis and daughters, Mavis and Yvonne, were born in Chicago. Roebuck worked in steel mills and meat packing plants while his family of four children grew up. The family began appearing in Chicago-area churches in 1948. Their first public singing appearance was at the Mount Zion Church, Chicago, where Roebuck’s brother, the Rev. Chester Staples, was pastor.[6] They signed their first professional contract in 1952. During their early career, they recorded in an acoustic gospel-folk style with various labels: United Records, Vee-Jay Records (their “Uncloudy Day” and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” were best sellers), Checker Records, Riverside Records, and then Epic Records in 1965. “Uncloudy Day” was an early influence on Bob Dylan, who said of it in 2015, “It was the most mysterious thing I’d ever heard… I’d think about them even at my school desk…Mavis looked to be about the same age as me in her picture (on the cover of “Uncloudy Day”)…Her singing just knocked me out…And Mavis was a great singer—deep and mysterious. And even at the young age, I felt that life itself was a mystery.” // The Staples move to Epic saw a run of albums, including the live in-church Freedom Highway album produced by Billy Sherrill; the title track of which was a civil rights movement protest song penned by Pops Staples. It was on Epic that the Staple Singers developed a style more accessible to mainstream audiences, with “Why (Am I Treated So Bad)” and “For What It’s Worth” (Stephen Stills) in 1967. In 1968, the Staple Singers signed to Stax Records and released two albums with Steve Cropper—Soul Folk in Action and We’ll Get Over, Pervis returning for them. After Cropper left Stax, Al Bell produced their recordings, conducting the rhythm sessions at the famed Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and cutting the overdubs himself with engineer/musician Terry Manning at Memphis’s Ardent Studios, moving in a more funk and soul direction. // “For most of this decade, Roebuck Staples—born December 12, 1915, about two weeks after Frank Sinatra—has been the oldest performer with direct access to the hit parade by some twenty-five years, so here’s your chance to mind your elders. It’s Mavis’s lowdown, occasionally undefined growl that dominates, of course; you should hear how secular she gets with an O.V. Wright blues that got buried on The Staple Swingers. But Pops’s unassuming moralism sets the tone and his guitar assures the flow.” —The Best of the Staples Singers review in Christgau’s Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981) // The Staple Singers’ first Stax hit was “Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom-Boom)” in early 1971. Their late 1971 recording of “Respect Yourself”, written by Luther Ingram and Mack Rice, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Both hits sold over one million copies and were each awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. The song’s theme of self-empowerment had universal appeal, released in the period immediately following the intense American civil rights movement of the 1960s. In 1972, “I’ll Take You There” topped both Billboard charts. In 1973, “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me)” reached No. 9 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B chart. // After Stax’s 1975 bankruptcy, The Staple Singers signed to Curtis Mayfield’s label, Curtom Records, and released “Let’s Do It Again”, produced by Mayfield; the song became their second No. 1 pop hit in the U.S., and the album was also successful. In 1976, they collaborated with The Band for their film The Last Waltz, performing on the song “The Weight” (which The Staple Singers had previously covered on their first Stax album). However, they were not able to regain their momentum, releasing only occasional minor hits. The 1984 album Turning Point featured a cover of the Talking Heads’ “Slippery People” (it reached the Top 5 on the Dance chart). In 1994, they again performed the song “The Weight” with country music artist Marty Stuart for MCA Nashville’s Rhythm, Country and Blues compilation, somewhat re-establishing an audience. The song “Respect Yourself” was used by Spike Lee in the soundtrack to his movie Crooklyn, made in 1994. // In 1999, The Staple Singers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Pops Staples died of complications from a concussion suffered in December 2000. In 2005, the group was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Cleotha Staples died in Chicago on February 21, 2013, at the age of 78, after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for over a decade. Mavis Staples has continued to carry on the family tradition and continues to add her vocal talents to both the projects of other artists and her own solo ventures. She appeared at Glastonbury in 2015, and her 2016 album Livin’ on a High Note includes a simple acoustic version of a Martin Luther King sermon in the track “MLK Song”. Yvonne Staples died on April 10, 2018 at the age of 80.]

12. Mavis Staples – “Eyes On The Prize”
from: We’ll Never Turn Back / Anti / April 24, 2007
[Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Mavis Staples, of The Staple Singers, is a celebrated equal rights activist. She’s performed at inaugural parties for Presidents Kennedy, Carter and Clinton, Recordedin the run up to the Presidential election of Barrack Obama. Mavis Staples, marched, sang & protested alongside Dr. Martin Luther King during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. We’ll Never Turn Back is the seventh studio album by American gospel and soul singer Mavis Staples. Recorded in 2007 and produced by roots rock and blues musician Ry Cooder, it is a concept album with lyrical themes relating to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Upon its release, We’ll Never Turn Back received positive reviews from most music critics. It was also named one of the best albums of 2007 by several music writers and publications. “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize” is a folk song that became influential during the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. It is based on the traditional song, “Gospel Plow,” also known as “Hold On,” “Keep Your Hand on the Plow,” and various permutations thereof. An early reference to the older song, “Gospel Plow,” is in Alan Lomax’s 1949 book “Our Singing Country.” The book references a 1937 recording by Elihu Trusty of Paintsville, Kentucky, which is in the Library of Congress (Ref No .1397 A1). Lomax’s references for Gospel Plow cite two earlier works. The first is from English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians published in 1917, indicating that Gospel Plow dates from at least the early twentieth century. The second reference is to a 1928 book, American Negro Folk-Songs, which shows an African-American heritage for the original song. The lyrics to the modern Civil Rights version of the song, “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize” are often attributed to Alice Wine from Johns Island, South Carolina. Mrs. Wine was a member of the Moving Star Hall and The Progressive Club on Johns Island. The book Ain’t You Got the Right to the Tree of Life by Guy and Candie Carawan. documents songs of the Moving Star Hall and the lives of African Americans on Johns Island in the early sixties. It is doubtful that Mrs. Wine actually composed the lyrics herself. More likely she had heard the revised refrain and variations on the verses of the older song from the congregation at the praise hall. The leading “Paul and Silas” stanzas in the modern “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize” lyrics were already present in some versions of the older “Keep Your Hand on the Plow.” Our Singing Country[1] shows these lyrics were already in use in 1949 and before. Odetta used them in her 1960 Carnegie Hall appearance and recording. Mrs Wine is credited by Candie Carawan only with having passed onto Guy Carawan the revision of the title from “Keep Your Hand on the Plow” to “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize.” Lyrics for traditional American folk songs and African-American spirituals are often changed, improvised and traded between songs by different artists and at different performances. This was and is especially true in the call and response of African American religious music. For example, Mahalia Jackson, in her 1958 performance of “Keep Your Hand on the Plow”, begins with the couplet “Mary had three links of chain, Every link bearin’ Jesus name.” Bob Dylan also sings these lyrics in his upbeat version of “Gospel Plow.” Carl Sandburg, in his 1927 book The American Songbag,[7] attributes these lyrics to yet another song entirely, “Mary Wore Three Links of Chain.” Modern choral arrangements of this song sound entirely different from either the Eyes-Prize or Hand-Plow songs.[8] Both Sandberg in the preface to his book and folk singer Pete Seeger in the opening remarks to his Carnegie Hall performance of “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize” note the malleability of American and African-American folk music. No one artist can be historically credited with “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize.]

11:30 – Underwriting

11:32 – Pledge Break #5

This is WMM’s Spring Fund Drive Show with Marion Merritt, & Betse Ellis.

Thank you to: Joy Baker, Marcia Pomeroy, Pat Abts, Charlie Colborne, Rhonda Lyne, Deloris Jankovich, Nancy Nicolay, Natasha Derakhshanian, Elaine Meizlich, Necia Gamby, Kimberly DeVries, Leo Wetherill, Mike McCoy, Jon D. Barnhart, Claire McDaniels, William Smith, Mike Walker, Fran Stanton

WMM offers loads and loads of information about what is going on in the community. Not only do we interview nearly 200 guest each year, not only do we play nearly 1000 different songs with nearly half of those being locally produced, but we also shine a light on area not-for-profit theatre companies, art museums & galleries, area festivals, service organizations, area record labels and record stores, the area music scene, arts scene, theatre scene, literary arts scene, political action scene.

In just this past year, we’ve featured segments shining a light on: The Black Archives of Mid America, Olathe Public Library’s Music Series, InterUrban ArtHouse Queer Story Telling, Middle of The Map Fest, Outer Reaches Fest, Troost Fest, North KC Music Fest, Porch Fest KC, Crossroads Music Fest, Manor Fest, Lawrence Field Day Fest, KC PrideFest, Midwest Music Foundation, MidCoast Takeover, Playlist Play, Kansas City Public Library, GLAMA, MOCSA, Topeka Women’s Correctional Facility, The Midwest Innocence Project, Record Store Day, Folk Alliance International Conference, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington Carver, Kansas City Art Institute, Bach Aria Soloist, KC Gamelan Genta Kasturi, Owen Cox Dance Group, American Jazz Museum, Never Records, KC Fringe Theatre Fest, Late Night Theatre, Girls Rock! and the Annual Girls Rock! Camp, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Apocalypse Meow, Union Station, Plaza Art Fair, Center Cut Records, Black Site Records, Haymaker Records, The Record Machine, Datura Records, Too Much Rock, Revolution Records, Sister Anne’s Records, Mills Record Company, Josey Records, Recoprds With Merritt, Squeezebox Theatre, Crossroads KC, The Midland Theatre, Johnson County Performing Arts Series, Shelf Life, The Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, The Band That Fell To Earth A Tribute To David Bowie, The Kauffman Center for The Performing Arts, UMKC Conservatory of Music.

11:39 – Music Of The Movement

13. Pete Seeger – “We Shall Overcome”
from: The Essential Pete Seeger / Columbia – Legacy / 2004
[Derived from a gospel song by Reverend Charles Tindley called “We Will Overcome” written in 1901. Adapted and made famous by Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and others the song became central to the civil rights movement of the 1950 and 1960s and eventually used all around the world. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made use of “we shall overcome” in the final Sunday March 31, 1968 speech before his assassination.]

14. Tramaine Hawkins, Ella Mitchell, Billy Porter & Chorus -“Rocka My Soul”
from: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre “Revelations” / V2 / 1998
[Revelations is the signature choreographic work of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. It was first produced by Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in New York City, New York on January 31, 1960. Revelations tells the story of African-American faith and tenacity from slavery to freedom through a suite of dances set to spirituals and blues music. It’s been performed in over 70 countries in the half century since then and has been described as “the most widely seen modern dance work in the world.” The finale song of the three part “Revelations” is “Rocka My Soul In The Bosom Of Abraham” and it has been described by writer Juliana Lewis-Ferguson as a, “spiritually powerful conclusion to the suite and a purely physical release of emotion.”]

11:46 – Pledge Break #6

This is WMM’s Spring Fund Drive Show with Marion Merritt, & Betse Ellis.

Thank you to all who donated. Over 63 people donated and we raised, $3723.00.

11:53 – Music Of The Movement

15. The Freedom Affair – “Imagine”
from: “Imagine” – Single / Sunflower Soul Records / March 20, 2020
[Music & Lyrics by John Lennon. The Freedom Affair is a project of Chris Hazelton of Sunflower Soul Records and Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7. The Freedom Affair is: Misha Roberts on vocals, Seyko Groves on vocals, Paula Saunders on vocals, Cole Bales on guitar, Branden Moser on guitar, Chris Hazelton on bass, Dave Brick on drums, Pete Carroll on trumpet, and Brett Jackson on saxophone. Additional musicians include: Matt Bennett on violin, and Alyssa Bell in viola. Arranged, Produced, Recorded, & Mixed by Chris Hazelton. Mastered by Adam Boose at Cauliflower Audio. The Freedom Affair and their track “Rise Up” were selected to be part of Colemine Records 3xLP box set, “Soul Slabs Vol. 2” a Record Store Day Exclusive, released April 13, 2019. Colemine Records writes: “The Freedom Affair is a freight train of Kansas City soul! Dirty, funky drums, gritty horns, and the combined vocals of Misha Roberts, Seyko Groves, and Paula Saunders to put this band over the top. Politically charged soul music for the dancefloor!”]

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

11:58 – Arts Calendar

Next week on Wednesday, June 17 we’ll play from 25 area bands & artists as we feature: Our Favorite MidCoastal Releases of 2020 …So far! We’ll hear from Una Walkenhorst, Blackstarkids, The Republic Tigers, Ivory Blue, Ebony Tusks, Fritz Hutchison, Katy Guillen & The Drive, Hermon Mehari, Betse & Clarke, Fullbloods, Sam Wells, Pedaljets, Miki P & The Swallowtails, Radkey, Saint Sé, David Burchfield, The Freedom Affair, Sterling Witt, Quiet Takes, Miss Boating, Hi-Lux, Brandon Phillips & The Condition, MGDs, Nan + The One Nite Stands, Plus, we’ll talk with members of the band Oh Dear Oh My.

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

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

Show #841

WMM presents: Music Of The Movement

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, June 10, 2020

Music Of The Movement
+ Marion Merritt + Betse Ellis +
Sterling Wit
t

Mark features “Music Of The Movement.” We’ll spin tracks of and inspired by The Civil Rights & Black Lives Matter Movement. Mark plays songs from: Krystle Warren, Hi-Lux, The Freedom Affair, Radkey, Bobby Watson & The I Have A Dream Project featuring Glenn North, Mavis Staples, The Staple Singers, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Sweet Honey In The Rock, Aaron Neville, Lamar Campbell And Spirit Of Praise, Billy Porter, Tramine Hawkins, Ella Mitchell, Pete Seeger, and Solomon Burke.

One of WMM’s longtime (14-years) contributors, Marion Merritt of Records With Merritt, a minority owned business in KCMO, joins us as our special guest co-host. We also welcome Betse Ellis, critically acclaimed fiddler, singer, songwriter, and one half of Betse & Clarke who joins us as special guest co-host. Betse & Marion will encourage our listeners to call 888-931-0901, or visit http://www.kkfi.org to support 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio during our Spring Fund Drive Show.

At 11:00 AM, KC based artist & musician Sterling Witt joins us to share music and information about his new recording, “Something’s Awry” twelve terrifying songs about monsters, cryptids, demons, parasites and the most unfortunate situations. The 12 songs are based on characters Sterling is writing in a new book called, ”Something’s Awry: Ting Tong and Other Terrifying Tales,” featuring art work by Witt. More info at: http://www.sterlingwitt.com

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

Show #841