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, September 18, 2019

Calvin Arsenia +
Dedric Moore & Nathan Reusch & 3 Deep
+ Rigby Summer & Ed Dupas

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

2. Lee Fields & The Expressions – “It Rains Love”
from: It Rains Love / Big Crown Records / April 5, 2019
[With a career spanning 43 years, releases on twelve different record labels, and having toured the world over with his raucous-yet- tender voice, itʼs mind-blowing that the music heʼs making today. Elmer Lee Fields was born in 1951 in Wilson, North Carolina, the son of Emma Jean Fields and John Fields. He was the second child of six children. Fields had an interest in music from an early age. He decided to go to New York, at the age of 17 to pursue a music career. Although his mother (whom he later named an album in honor of) tried to convince him not to go, she ended up giving him her last 20 dollars. With moves and style inspired by James Brown, Fields soon had the nickname “Little JB” because of his physical and vocal resemblance with James Brown. He has worked with Kool and the Gang, Hip Huggers, O.V. Wright, Darrell Banks, and Little Royal. Fields has also worked with such legends such as B.B. King, Clarence Carter, Dr. John, Tyrone Davis, Johnny Taylor, Denise LaSalle, Bobby Blue Bland, Betty Wright, The Manhattans, Little Milton and Bobby Womack. He recorded his first single in 1969 on the Bedford label, “Bewildered” b/w “Tell Her I Love Her.” He recorded “Gonna Make Love” on London Records in 1973. That same year, Fields released the popular 45, “Let’s Talk It Over” b/w “She’s a Love Maker”. Fields dropped “Everybody Gonna Give Their Thing Away to Somebody (Sometime)” b/w “East Coast Rapper,” on SoundPlus in 1975. Most of the second half of the 70’s Fields spent cutting singles for Angle 3 Records, including “The Bull Is Coming” b/w “Funky Screw”. In 1980 he released a full-length album with Angle 3 called Let’s Talk It Over. In the 1980s, disco became increasingly popular, at the expense of soul. Venues that had previously booked Fields now booked DJs. Fields moved into real estate in Newark, New Jersey, in order to provide for his family. In the 1990s, Fields returned singing soul-blues on the Southern circuit. He signed with Mississippi-based Ace Records and debuted Enough Is Enough. On Ace, Fields released Coming to Tear the Roof Down in 1995 and Dreaming Big Time in 1996 in which he played keyboards and synthesizers. Later that year Fields signed to Desco Records founded by Gabriel Roth and Phillip Lehman. Sharon Jones, who was signed to Desco also at that time, sang backup for Fields on an early 45. Fields was featured on the debut album Gimmie the Paw by the label’s band The Soul Providers in 1997. He released several singles with in Desco and in 1999, dropped a full-length album Let’s Get a Groove On. Desco later split into, Daptone Records and Soul Fire, and Fields eventually recorded for them both. “Give Me a Chance” and “Shot Down” were two 7″ singles he released on Daptone over 2001-2002 and in late 2002, the album Problems, on Soul Fire. In early 2005 he performed on “Stranded In Your Love” included on Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings’ Naturally LP. In 2006 French House DJ Martin Solveig approached him to do a dance track. They toured in France and recorded the songs “Jealousy”, “Everybody”, “I’m a Good Man”, and “I Want You”. Truth and Soul Records recorded a single with Fields that later became “Honey Dove”. Lee Fields & The Expressions released “My World” for Truth and Soul in 2009. In 2011 he followed up with the album titled Treacherous. After releasing Faithful Man in 2012 with Truth and Soul, the singer toured globally. He then released two albums Emma Jean in 2014 and Special Night in 2017 (on Big Crown Records by former Truth and Soul co founder Leon Michels).]

[Lee Fields & The Expressions play Knuckleheads Saloon, 2715 Rochester KCMO, Friday, September 20, at 7:00 PM, with Neal Francis.]

3. Broken Heart Syndrome – “Dolly (and other unfinished business)”
from: Dolly (and other unfinished business) – Single / Broken Heart Syndrome / Sept, 13, 2019
[Kansas City bsed supergroup Broken Heart Syndrome, is Matthew Roth (of Schwervon!, Major Matt Mason USA) on songwriting, vocals & guitar, Pat Tomek (of The Rainmakers) on drums & percussion, Dave Tanner (of The Depth and The Whisper) on bass and backing vocals, Todd Granthem (of The Quivers) on keyboards. This recording was engineered and co-produced by Pat Tomek at Level Stage in KC, MO. Dolly (and other unfinished business) is the second official Broken Heart Syndrome release. Matthew Roth writes, “This track was inspired by the autobiography of Dolly Parton. Many years ago, while I was still living in New York, I took part in a very ambitious singer-songwriter night that is put on by my friend Susan Hwang, called the Bushwick Book Club. It’s still going on, as far as I know. Basically, you read a book and then you write a song about it. The book was Dolly Parton’s: My Life and Other Unfinished Business. I was having a hard time tracking down a copy of the book and luckily my friend Diane Cluck just so happened to have it on tape. It was an actual cassette tape. So, yeah turns out Dolly Parton had a pretty amazing life. It was great to hear her voice telling her own story. There were several points where I felt very moved and even connected to her story. I tried to take some of those parts and channel them as inspiration for the lyrics. It’s like a little secret message from me to her. I don’t think most people would be able to tell what the song is about if I didn’t tell them. I’m pretty positive that she’ll probably never hear it but it’s a really fun way to write a song.”]

[Broken Heart Syndrome plays Revolution Records 1830 Locust KCMO, Wednesday, September 18, at 7:30 PM with Golden Shoulders (from Nevada City, CA) on tour in support of their new album.]

4. Dylan Pyles – “Always Missing the Point”
from: Popular Songs for the Heart / Manor Records / September 20, 2019
[Kansas City based musician, singer, songwriter, music scholar, record buyer at Mills Record Company]

[Dylan Pyles plays a cassette release show of Popular Sings for the Heart at MiniBar, 3810 Broadway, KCMO, Thursday, September 19, with Jaye Jayle, and The Casket Lottery.]

[Dylan Pyles will be our guest on Wednesday MidDay Medley next week on September 25]

10:18

5. NuBlvckCity – “Alive”
from: All Night / Alive – Single / NuBlvckCity / July 12, 2019
[NuBlvckCity is a KC-based music collective with Kartez Marcel (Addison), a native of Kansas City, Missouri, a Hip-Hop artist, and community program developer, sound engineer, entrepreneur, recording artist, musician, and songwriter. He provides resources to artists and assists with bringing their artistic visions to life, he also serves as the Director of A/V at a large faith-based organization. With Royce “Sauce” Handy he founded We Are Rap a hip hop program for youth. VP3 (Vernon Percy Howard III) is a Music Producer, Songwriter, Singer, Pianist, & Saxophonist. He recently gradualted from the University of Central Missouri where he studied digital media production. Mae C is a singer/songwriter who’s one of KC’s go-to voices and performer’s. Mae C is a KC based singer songwriter who we’ve played several times on the show. Her single “Anxious” was preceeded by her EP, Warning Sign of True Love. Influenced by Hip Hop, Rock, Jazz, Soul & R&B, Mae C is making her mark as an artist in the KC music scene. Royce “Sauce” Handy is a rapper, a songwriter, a beat maker, a designer, a teacher, an MC, a business owner, a social media manager, a husband, a father., a community organizer. He has worked with the AdHoc Group Against Crime, Teens in Transition, Storytellers Inc., Arts Tech, Mid-America Regional Council, UMKC, Representative Brandon Ellington, Mayor Sly James. He is co-owner of The Rap Asylum, We are RAP, and owner of Melanin Connoisseur.]
[NuBlvckCity play Lincoln Calling 2019, Downtown Lincoln NE, 1412 O St, TONIGHT, Sept. 18.]

[NuBlvckCity play 2019 Plaza Art Fair, Saturday Zeptember, 21 at 6:20 on the Ink Magazine Music Stage at Ward Parkway and Pennsylvania, KCMO]

[NuBlvckCity play Troostapalooza, Saturday, September 21, at 3000 Troost Ave, KCMO with Hi-Lux, The Black Creatures, The Freedom Affair, The Phantastics, and more ]

[NuBlvckCity play The Granada Theatre, 1020 Massachusettes, St., Lawrence, KS., Monday, September 23, at 7:00 PM opening for Phony Ppl/]

6. The Black Tones – “Ghetto Spaceship”
from: Cobain & Cornbread / Chauty & Chauto Records / April 12, 2019
[The Black Tones are like a mixture of Kurt Cobain and cornbread. Consisting of founders/twin siblings Eva Walker on guitar/vocals and Cedric Walker on drums, the blues and punk-based dynamo continuously project subversion, power and the potential for something new on stage. Born and raised in Seattle WA, they credit their family’s New Orleans roots as an influence on their music and writing. During the past year, the band’s name has been on the tongue of nearly everyone who follows the richness of Seattle music. In 2018, the group opened for Death Cab for Cutie at the historic Paramount Theater during its 90th Anniversary celebration; became the most played band on KEXP (on the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s assassination) with their song, “The Key of Black (They Want Us Dead)”; and performed at countless summer festivals from Doe Bay to the Capitol Hill Block Party. The Black Tones have also shared stages with standout groups like Thunderpussy, Tacocat, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio and We Were Promised Jetpacks.The Black Tones have made appearances on Band In Seattle and The Spud Goodman Show, as well as having music licensed to the independent film “The Noise Made by People”. They have received praise from the Seattle Public Library system, The Stranger and AfroPunk. The band’s debut record Cobain & Cornbread, recorded with famed Seattle producer Jack Endino.]

7. Wick & The Tricks – “Drama Queen (Radio Edit)”
from: Not Enough 7″ Vinyl EP / Black Site / October 14, 2017
[4-piece band for thie recording: Wick Trick on vocals & sleaze, Chris Stallion on guitar, Jane Asylum on bass & vocals, and JoJo Tornado on drums. The new EP was recorded and mixed by Justin Mantooth at Westend Recording Studios. The current line up includes: Wick Trick on vocals, Chris Stallion on guitar, & backing vocals, George Valiant on drums, Promise Clutter on bass, Young Noah on guitar & backing vocals and the band has a new soingle called “Mastermind” that was released on July 10, 2019. In 2006, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force gave Thomas a Creating Change Award for establishing a chapter of the Gay-Straight Alliance in 2004 while he was a student at Paola High School. He’s also been involved in bike activism, has volunteered for the ACLU and Greenpeace, and founded the local environmental group TWIG (Think Work Inspire Grow).]

[Wick & The Tricks play The Rino 314 Armour Rd, NKC, Thursday, September 19, at 7:00 PM with The Black Feathers (from Denver) and Belle & The Vertigo Waves.]

[Wick & The Tricks play The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. Lawrence, KS., Saturday, Sept. 21, at 7:00 PM, opening for Radkey, with The Sluts and The Many Colored Death.]

8. Red Kate – “You Don’t Speak For Me”
from: unamerican activities / Black Site Records / April 2, 2016
[Fro this recording: L. Ron Drunkard on bass & vocals, Andrew Whelan on drums & vocals, Brad Huhmann on guitar & vocals, Desmond Poirier on guitar & vocals. (After this release Shaun Hamontree joined band on guitar.) Produced by Red Kate. Recorded at Weights & Measures Soundlab, KCMO, w/ Duane Trower doing recording, mixing and digital mastering engineering. Roger Seibel on vinyl mastering at SAE Mastering, Phoenix, AZ. Shaun Hamontree created cover art. Pressed at Quality Record Pressings, Salina, KS.]

[Red Kate plays The Brick’s 20th Anniversary on Friday, September 20 with Captured By Robots!]

10:30 – Underwriting

9. JAENKI – “Bolt”
from: Every Human – EP / Jaenki / November 23, 2018
[Jaenki is the new musical project from The Republic Tigers lead singer, Kenn Jankowski now with Stephanie Perkins on vocals, synth, & guitars; Kenn Jankowski on vocals, synth & guitars, and Liam Sumnicht on drums. This Kansas City based band previously released their Jaenki Ep 1 with Kenn Jankowski, Ryan Wallace, Drew Little and Rachel Mallin on August 30 2016 with a video for their song “Miracle Maze” released on December 12.]

[Jaenki plays 3 Deep – Chromadepth 3D Concert, Friday, September 20, at 7:00 PM at Recordbar, 1520 Grand with Pala Zolo, Flaural, Triptides, Monta At Odds (Dub Set), and Live Visuals by VJDN8 ]

10:36 – Interview with Dedric Moore and Nathan Reusch

Dedric Moore is a member of the bands Monta At Odds, Mysterious Clouds, and Gemini Revolution. He has also produced recordings for the Philistines, HMPH!, and others. He is co-founder of Outer Reaches Festival, the HQ Artspace in KCK, and Kosmic City Records.

Nathan Reusch is co-founder of The Record Machine, Sound Machine KC, and Middle of the Map Fest.

Dedric Moore & Nathan Reusch join us to share details about 3 Deep – Chromadepth 3D Concert, presented by Sound Machine KC, Kosmic City, The Record Machine on Friday, September 20, at 7:00 PM at Recordbar, 1520 Grand Boulevard, KCMO. 3 Deep features: Jaenki, Pala Zolo (Ep Release Party), Flaural, Triptides, Monta At Odds (Dub Set), Live Visuals by VJDN8.

Dedric Moore and Nathan Reusch, Thanks for being with us on WMM.

We just heard Jaenki from their most recent EP Every Human that came out so late in 2018 we consider it a 2019 release.

Jaenki is the musical project from The Republic Tigers lead singer, Kenn Jankowski

Jaenki has gome through some personnel changes: with Stephanie Perkins on vocals, synth, & guitars; Kenn Jankowski on vocals, synth & guitars, and Liam Sumnicht on drums. This Kansas City based band previously released their Jaenki Ep 1 with Kenn Jankowski, Ryan Wallace, Drew Little and Rachel Mallin on August 30 2016 with a video for their song “Miracle Maze” released on December 12.

11:43

19. Pala Zolo – “Up Northern”
rom Up Northern – Single / The Record Machine / February 8, 2019
[Pala Zolo is the instrumental electronic project of Lawrence, KS musician Eric Davis. In Pala Zolo, Davis blends synthesizers and drum machines with live instruments to create his blend of cinematic pop music. He chose the name to pay homage to his Sicilian heritage by naming the project after a small Sicilian village he spent time in while studying abroad in Italy. Pala Zolo allows Davis the full freedom to experiment in ways that are a departure from his main gig as the keyboard player in buzzy up-and-coming rock band Hembree (Thirty Tigers, Oread Records). // The inspiration for Pala Zolo came from a chance meeting with fellow electronic musician, Tycho’s Scott Hansen. One day while working at The Granada Theater in Lawrence, Davis was given the job of being Hansen’s driver. For years Davis had been writing and recording his own demos and was completely unsure of what to do with them. After spending the entire day with Hansen and seeing him perform, Davis realized he could bring his incomplete ideas to life in his own unique way. Seeing an instrumental band perform such an emotionally charged set inspired Davis to finish his songs without traditional vocals and to begin creating his own sound in that genre. // Soon after, Davis set forth to finalize the recordings with his good friend and producer Joel Martin (Y god Y). The two of them spent countless hours experimenting with synthetic and acoustic textures to create perfect soundscapes to compliment Davis’ intricately arranged compositions. In 2018, Davis self-released singles House Plant & 40K, and continued to take Pala Zolo to another level by performing live with drummer Gerardo Rojas. The duo brings the songs to life with live synths, guitars and drums and has been resonating with audiences. // In the summer of 2019, Pala Zolo is releasing their debut EP on Kansas City label The Record Machine and looks to take Pala Zolo to new heights.]

11:47

We are talking with Dedric Moore & Nathan Reusch about 3 Deep – Chromadepth 3D Concert, presented by Sound Machine KC, Kosmic City, The Record Machine on Friday, September 20, at 7:00 PM at Recordbar, 1520 Grand Boulevard, KCMO. 3 Deep features: Jaenki, Pala Zolo (Ep Release Party), Flaural, Triptides, Monta At Odds (Dub Set), Live Visuals by VJDN8.

Dedric Moore and Nathan Reusch, Thanks for being with us on WMM.

We just heard Pala Zolo the instrumental electronic project of Lawrence, KS musician Eric Davis the keyboard player in rock band Hembree (Thirty Tigers, Oread Records). .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.

The inspiration for Pala Zolo came from a chance meeting with fellow electronic musician, Tycho’s Scott Hansen. One day while working at The Granada Theater in Lawrence, Davis was given the job of being Hansen’s driver. For years Davis had been writing and recording his own demos and was completely unsure of what to do with them. After spending the entire day with Hansen and seeing him perform, Davis realized he could bring his incomplete ideas to life in his own unique way. Seeing an instrumental band perform such an emotionally charged set inspired Davis to finish his songs without traditional vocals and to begin creating his own sound in that genre. // Soon after, Davis set forth to finalize the recordings with his good friend and producer Joel Martin (Y god Y). The two of them spent countless hours experimenting with synthetic and acoustic textures to create perfect soundscapes to compliment Davis’ intricately arranged compositions.

In 2018, Davis self-released singles House Plant & 40K, and continued to take Pala Zolo to another level by performing live with drummer Gerardo Rojas. The duo brings the songs to life with live synths, guitars and drums and has been resonating with audiences.

On Saturday night, Pala Zolo is releasing their debut EP on Kansas City label The Record Machine.

Dedric Moore and Nathan Reusch, Thanks for being with us on WMM.

3 Deep – Chromadepth 3D Concert, presented by Sound Machine KC, Kosmic City, The Record Machine on Friday, September 20, at 7:00 PM at Recordbar, 1520 Grand Boulevard, KCMO. 3 Deep features: Jaenki, Pala Zolo (Ep Release Party), Flaural, Triptides, Monta At Odds (Dub Set), Live Visuals by VJDN8.

10:53

11. Monta At Odds feat. Your Friend – “Chromosphere”
from: Argentum Dreams / Haymaker Records / October 19, 2018
[6th full length release from the psychedelic, experimental indie/space rock/electronic collective based in KCK formed by brothers Dedric and Delaney Moore. The band describes their music as: Mutant Disco, minimal synthwave, post-punk dance, Electronica, Indie, Space Rock, Ambient. Current members include: Dedric Moore, Delaney Moore, Alexander Thomas, Adam Davies, Zach Bozich, Aaron Osborne, Matthew Hayden, past supporting members: Mika Tanaya, Sterling Holman, Bree Plaster; Eric Bessenbacher, Ryan Shank, Jeremiah James, Samer Saba, Doug Hutchinson, Erin O’Neill, Sam Behrens, Luke Behrens, Sam Hughes, Tom Romero, Caleb Aldrich, John Aldrich.] [MONTA AT ODDS played the 3 DEEP : CHROMADEPTH 3-D CONCERT WITH, Y GOD Y, LA GUERRE, PALA ZOLO w/ Live Visuals from VJDN (Nate Bogert), Friday, March 29, at 8:00 PM. at recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO. Produced by Kosmic City and Sound Machine KC.]

[Monta At Odds play 3 Deep – Chromadepth 3D Concert, presented by Sound Machine KC, Kosmic City, The Record Machine on Fri., Sept. 20, at 7:00 PM at Recordbar, 1520 Grand Boulevard, KCMO. 3 Deep features: Jaenki, Pala Zolo (Ep Release Party), Flaural, Triptides, Live Visuals by VJDN8.]

12. The Band That Fell To Earth – “Boys Keep Swinging”
from: Recorded Live at recordBar for A Tribute To David Bowie / January 2018
[Curated by musician/writer Michelle Bacon to pay homage to David Bowie while showcasing talent across Kansas City’s vast musical spectrum. With Bowie’s untimely passing only three weeks before the inaugural concert, the event garnered an attendance of more than 800 at the Uptown Theater, and generated press from KCPT, The Kansas City Star and various radio stations, along with high demand for an annual show. This was from the second year of the annual performances with: Michelle Bacon on bass, Alex Alexander on guitar, Nathan Corsi on vocals/guitar, Kyle Dahlquist on keyboards, Katy Guillen on guitar, Steve Tulipana on vocals, Stephanie Williams on drums, Havilah Bruders on backing vocals, Camry Ivory on backing vocals, Matt Ronan on percussion, Christine Broxterman on cello, Betse Ellis on violin, Rich Wheeler on saxophone.]

[The Band That Fell To Earth play The Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St., Lawrence KS., Saturday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 PM featuring many Lawrence area rock and rollers in guest singing roles.]

11:00 – Station ID –

13. Calvin Arsenia – “Back To You (Paul Brown Mix)”
from: L.A. Sessions / Center Cut Records / September 20, 2019
[1st single from L.A. Sessions released August 16. Produced by Tony Braunagel (he also delivers exquisite percussion on LA Sessions) 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, including Jimi Hendrix, George Benson, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Leonard Cohen, Bonnie Raitt, Chuck Loeb, Rickie Lee Jones, Buddy Guy, The Neville Brothers From Center Cut Record Press Release: “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.” He believes the immediacy of the LA Sessions, and having the instrumentation all happening in the “same emotional space together as a band,” powerfully served the intimacy of the album, particularly on the reflective “Back To You.” “It’s one of the most vulnerable songs on the album, and it always plays that way in my live set, and the guys were able to help me capture that,” he says. “The song is a very heartfelt admission of guilt, I think. But it’s done in a way people usually don’t want to talk about. Breakup songs are usually angry and lashing out and this is a very sober-minded take on it. It’s not something we usually want to admit, surrendering or admitting defeat in a relationship, because everyone thinks you’re always going to make it through, and this is saying ‘no we didn’t…but it’s OK.’” 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. Most recently, 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 Honeydew on June 28, an EP including a remix of three of the songs from Cantaloupe.]

[Calvin Arsenia plays The LA Sessions EP Release, Sept 19, 8:PM at recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO]

11:04 – Interview with Calvin Arsenia

Since 2014 we have been celebrating the music of Calvin Arsenia who came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has released his EPs, Moments, Prose, Catastrophe, Caviar, Honeydew, and his beautiful full length self produced, Catastrophe. After signing with Center Cut Records he released his critically acclaimed album Cantaloupe in September 2018, with a giant show at The Gem Theatre.

Now Calvin is set to put out his newest Center Cut Records release LA Sessions, with a LA Sessions Album Release Show at recordBar, 1520 Grand, on Thursday, September 19, at 7:00 PM.

Calvin Arsenia, thanks for being with us on WMM.

We just heard the 1st single from L.A. Sessions released August 16. Produced by Tony Braunagel (he also delivers exquisite percussion on LA Sessions) 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, including Jimi Hendrix, George Benson, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Leonard Cohen, Bonnie Raitt, Chuck Loeb, Rickie Lee Jones, Buddy Guy, The Neville Brothers.

From Center Cut Record Press Release: “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.”

He believes the immediacy of the LA Sessions, and having the instrumentation all happening in the “same emotional space together as a band,” powerfully served the intimacy of the album, particularly on the reflective “Back To You.” “It’s one of the most vulnerable songs on the album, and it always plays that way in my live set, and the guys were able to help me capture that,” he says. “The song is a very heartfelt admission of guilt, I think. But it’s done in a way people usually don’t want to talk about. Breakup songs are usually angry and lashing out and this is a very sober-minded take on it. It’s not something we usually want to admit, surrendering or admitting defeat in a relationship, because everyone thinks you’re always going to make it through, and this is saying ‘no we didn’t…but it’s OK.’”

LA Sessions is a collection of subtly reimagined songs featuring musicians who have worked with some of music’s most iconic names including Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, and Buddy Guy.

Guitarist Paul Brown worked with Aretha Franklin, keyboard player Mike Finnigan sessioned with Etta James, bassist Freddie Washington sat in with B.B. King and Elton John, and pianist David Garfield recorded with Smokey Robinson and Cher. The producer for LA Sessions was Tony Braunagel, who put together the band.

More info at http://www.centercutrecords.com http://www.calvinarsenia.com

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.

Most recently, 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 Honeydew on June 28, an EP including a remix of three of the songs from Cantaloupe.

11:13

14. Calvin Arsenia – “Falling Over”
from: L.A. Sessions / Center Cut Records / September 20, 2019

11:17

We are talking with Calvin Arsenia about his LA Sessions Album Release Show at recordBar, 1520 Grand, on Thursday, September 19, at 7:00 PM. More info at More info at http://www.centercutrecords.com http://www.calvinarsenia.com

10:26

15. 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, Cavia, and the full length debut, Catastrophe.Standing at 6 foot 7 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.]

11:30 – Underwriting

11:32 – Interview with Rigby Summer and Ed Dupas

Singer songwriters Rigby Summer and Ed Dupas travel all over the country to play their original songs and sometimes they get to play on the same bill. Rigby Summer and Ed Dupas play Carl Butler’s Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads Saloon, 2715 Rochester St, TONIGHT, Wednesday, September 18, at 7:30, swapping songs to close out the night after Carl’s band kicks off the night. Rigby Summer and Ed Dupas join us today to play live in our 90.1 FM Studios.

Ed Dupas’ soulful music has been compared to Steve Earle and Bruce Springsteen. Born in Houston, Texas and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Dupas is a self-described searcher and thinker, whose religious upbringing managed only to push him away from mainstream ideas, rather than box him in.

Oklahoma-based songwriter Rigby Summer weaves an Americana soundscape that reflects the road she’s traveled, from her Kansas City jazz upbringing to the beach pop of her former home in southern California to the red dirt roots of her current home in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Her sound has been compared to Ingrid Michaelson and Peggy Lee.

Rigby Summer and Ed Dupas thanks for being with us on WMM

ED DUPAS – WELL WORN WIDE AWAKE MUSIC

Americana singer-songwriter Ed Dupas’ lived-in melodies unwind with reflective lyrics and speak to the current state of the human condition, soothing where possible, agitating where necessary, and seeking change where appropriate. Ed Dupas creates and shares well-worn wide-awake music.

THE LONESOME SIDE OF TOWN – Ed Dupas’ 3rd studio album features 11 new songs! When all is said and done, The Lonesome Side Of Town is a collection of songs that bear witness to a time of tremendous personal change in my life. Its songs testify to both the steadfastness of love, as well as its departure. Hopefully, the record serves to communicate the lessons, the struggle, and the beauty to be found in all of it.

The Lonesome Side of Town was conceived in a small church in Greenville, Michigan. Having been constructed in the 1880’s, the building found new life as a recording studio when it was purchased by my friend and fellow musician, Chris Ranney. In August of 2018, Chris and I spent a day tracking drums in the church with producer Michael Crittenden and drummer Rob Avsharian. Rob’s playing was solid and artful as ever, and he proved himself a good sport when our creative wanderings gave way to bossa nova beats and vinyl LPs on drum heads. As night fell, a line of storms approached the town, and we had no choice but to call the session. It was enough, we’d gotten the drum tracks we needed in a single day. We also captured the character of the church, who’s color permeates and shapes the entire record.

Ed Dupas 2nd album was released in spring of 2017, Tennessee Night, is the result of three days tracking with producer Michael Crittenden at Mackinaw Harvest Studios in Grand Rapids, MI. The heart of the record was recorded live in July of 2016 in the midst of a summer heatwave. The album features Rob Avsharian on drums, James Simonson on bass, Drew Howard on Steel/electric guitar, Chris Ranney on Piano, and Michael Crittenden doing a little of everything. Also featured on the album are singer-songwriter Judy Banker (Heading Home Again), Tara Cleveland (Some Things), and Cole Hansen (Everything Is In Bloom, Promised Land, and Tennessee Night.)

Ed Dupas first album: A GOOD AMERICAN LIFE was named as one of the best country albums of 2015 by The Telegraph-UK, this debut record was independently released late May, 2015. A Good American Life was recorded/produced in Grand Rapids, MI by Michael Crittenden.

“Sonically, the album consistently retains a dusky hue, reminiscent of Nebraska-era Springsteen or early Red House Painters. Ed’s music is essentially acoustic at its core; the recordings include some accompaniment complete with flourishes of overdriven, midwestern guitar shapes and pedal steel over top spare and sure drumming, while the occasional harmonica embellishes the quintessentially American folk sense of these tunes. Ed’s baritone vocals retain an easy, warm, and melodic tone, his lyrics refreshingly well articulated with just a touch of sardonic wit beneath the heartfelt and at times aching delivery.” -National Country Review

” … Songs that could or should have come from the pens of Springsteen, Kristofferson or more recently Sturgill Simpson….” – No Depression

SEP 19 THU – The Blue Door – Oklahoma City, OK,
SEP 22 SUN – Old Town Tavern – Ann Arbor, MI,
OCT 11 FRI – Noggin Room Pub – Petoskey, MI,
OCT 12 SAT – Trinity House Theatre w/ Judy Banker – Livonia, MI,
OCT 18 FRI – Westside Bowl – Youngstown, OH,
OCT 19 SAT – Taffys of Eaton – Eaton, OH,
OCT 25 FRI – Cambria – Nashville, TN,
OCT 26 SAT – Lowell Arts – Lowell, MI,
NOV 14 THU – Duke’s Indy – Indianapolis, IN,

More info at: http://www.eddupas.com

11:41

16. Ed Dupas – “Both Hands on The Wheel” (LIVE)
also available on: The Lonesome Side of Town / Road trip Songs / 2019

11:45 – Interview with Rigby Summer and Ed Dupas

We are talking with Rigby Summer and Ed Dupas who play Carl Butler’s Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads Saloon, 2715 Rochester St, TONIGHT, Wednesday, September 18, at 7:30, swapping songs to close out the show after Carl’s band kicks off the night.

Rigby Summer and Ed Dupas thanks for being with us on WMM.

Rigby Summer is an emerging, Oklahoma-based songwriter. She weaves an Americana soundscape that reflects the road she’s traveled, from her Kansas City jazz upbringing to the beach pop of her former home in southern California to the red dirt roots of her current home in Stillwater. Those cross-country moves and life-changes put music on the back burner in recent years, but she’s now come into her own, giving these songs new life.

While her influences range from Mary Chapin Carpenter to The Frames, Sia Furler to Johnny Cash, her sound often draws comparisons to Ingrid Michaelson and Peggy Lee–a little modern, a little old-fashioned, always earnest.

In 2017, after a five-year hiatus from performing music, she founded the monday@modella songwriter pop-up, and started sharpening her musical teeth, slowly carving a niche for herself in the Oklahoma scene. Recent honors include Honorable Mention in the 2017 Woody Guthrie Festival Songwriting Contest and invitations to join Norman Music Festival 2018, Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café 2018 and Women of Woodyfest 2018.

Meanwhile, Nadia credits the songs themselves for her return to the stage. “When I see the audience’s reaction to a lyric I’ve been given, I realize this isn’t about me. It’s about the songs and the power of words to connect us. I decided I had an obligation to bring these songs into the world.”

Influences
a good up-bringing.
midwestern winters.
jazz in the night.
three quiet years of listening in nashville.
winfield.
quarter-life angst.
an imaginary boyfriend.
hotel cafe.
malibu sunsets.

SEP 18 7:30pm Knuckleheads Saloon Kansas City, MO with Ed Dupas
SEP 19, 7:30pm The Blue Door – Oklahoma City, OK with Ed Dupas
SEP 21, 12:00pm – Ten Sleep Brewing Company, Ten Sleep, WY US
SEP 24, 6:00pm AC Hotel – Oklahoma City, OK
SEP 26, 6:00pm – Prairie to Palette – Ponca City, OK
SEP 27, 8:00pm Zannotti’s Wine Bar – Stillwater, OK
SEP 28, 2:00pm – Alumniati Tail Gate Stillwater, OK
OCT 08, 6:00pm – AC Hotel Oklahoma City, OK
OCT 10, 6:00pm – George’s Stables – Stillwater, OK
OCT 24, 3:00pm – FARM-Folk Alliance Region Midwest – Grand Rapids, MI
OCT 25, 9:00am – FARM-Folk Alliance Region Midwest Grand Rapids, MI
OCT 26, 9:00am, FARM-Folk Alliance Region Midwest Grand Rapids, MI

11:50

17. Rigby Summer – “Buy My A Piano” (LIVE) (4:00)
original piece written and perormed by Jen Harris from Curses & Charms

Rigby Summer and Ed Dupas thanks for being with us on WMM

Rigby Summer and Ed Dupas play Carl Butler’s Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads Saloon, 2715 Rochester St, TONIGHT, Wednesday, September 18, at 7:30, swapping songs to close out the night after Carl’s band kicks off the night.

More info at: http://www.eddupas.com or http://www.thisissummerland.com

11:56

18. Joan Shelley – “The Fading”
from: Like The River Loves The Sea / No Quarter Records / August 30, 2019
[Joan Shelley was born in 1985,. She is a songwriter and singer from Louisville, KY. She draws inspiration from traditional and traditionally-minded performers from her native Kentucky, as well as those from Ireland, Scotland, and England, but she’s not a folksinger. Her disposition aligns more closely with that of, say, Roger Miller, Dolly Parton, or her fellow Kentuckian Tom T. Hall, who once explained—simply, succinctly, in a song—“I Witness Life.” Since the 2015 release of her fourth album Over and Even, Shelley has crossed the country and toured Europe several times as a headlining artist, joined by guitarist Nathan Salsburg and sharing shows with the likes of Jake Xerxes Fussell, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Doug Paisley, Daniel Martin Moore, the Other Years, and Michael Hurley. She has opened for Wilco, Chris Smither, Andrew Bird, and Richard Thompson. Jeff Tweedy produced her 2017 record “Joan Shelley” at The Loft in Chicago. She’ll be familiar to readers of guitar-centric magazines for having appeared, in the same season, on the covers of Fretboard Journal and Acoustic Guitar. Her latest album, “Like the River Loves the Sea,” was released to wide acclaim in Uncut magazine, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Mojo, and Q magazine. Her second album, Ginko, and third album Farthest Field (with Daniel Martin Moore) were released in 2012 on Ol Kentuck. In 2014, Shelley released her fourth album, Electric Ursa, on No Quarter Records. In 2015, Shelley released her fifth album, Over and Even, on No Quarter. In 2017, Shelley released her eponymous sixth album. Her seventh album, Like the River Loves the Sea, was released in 2019. ]

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

Next week on September 25 – Clint Hoffmeier, Matt Tady, and Katelyn B. Jamison the hosts of the popular Wednesday Night Drinking Practice Podcast join us to share details about their “This or That“ live game show!, Thursday, September 26, at 7:00 PM at Phosphor Studio in the Crossroads Arts District at 1730 Broadway, KCMO. Also next week Kansas City based musician, singer, songwriter, music scholar, record buyer at Mills Record Company, Dylan Pyles joins us to share music and details on his Popular Songs for the Heart, Manor Records release. And…Ian Griggs & Brad Buckner of the band Tiki Brawlers join us to share their latest music and info on their upcoming show Sunday, September 29 at The Riot Room with The Toasters. PLUS, we talk with Jade Green & Xavier Martin of The Black Creatures.

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

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STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #803