WMM Playlist from July 22, 2020

Posted on July 27, 2020 by Mark Manning

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 Playlist from April 8, 2020

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Mark Manning

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, April 8, 2020

New & MidCoastal Releases + Rosé Perez
+ Danielle Jones & Tim O’Connor of L A Jones +
Brenton Cook & Brodie Rush of Be/Non

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / 1980
[WMM’s theme song]

2. R.I.Peter – “Rising Sun”
from: Cruis’n / Rising Sun – Single / Manor Records / April 10, 2020
[New Singles from musician and songwriter Peter Beatty plays in the band Momma’s Boy, who have been playing together since they were in the band Rev Gusto that was formed with Quinn Hernandez and friends, while they were in high school at Saint James Academy. Peter studied at University of Kansas. Peter released the debut EP solo project R.I.Peter on July 5, 2019. Manor Records described R.I.Peter’s music saying, “It’s like if you took video game music and mashed it with fleet foxes or something. All songs written by Peter Beatty . Additional songwriting and production by Jared Bajkowski. Mastered by Ross Brown. electronic pop ambient america folk mystic Kansas City.]

[R.I.Peter plays a “Cruis’n” / “Rising Sun” – Cassingle Release – Streaming Live Concert, Friday, April 10, at 7:00 PM on Manor Records Social Media Platforms on Facebook, Instagram, etc.]

3 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.]

4. Nick Siegel – “Let’s Blouse”
from: For You, Dear, Anything [EP] / Nick Siegel / April 10, 2020
[Nick Siegel, is a KC piano rocker with influences such as Ben Folds, Death Cab for Cutie and the Mars Volta. Nick writes aggressive piano rock music. He grew up playing music in Chicago and moved to Kansas City in 2010 when he joined The Casket Lottery. Now on my own as solo artist, Nick has released his debut solo album, “Awake from the Golden State,” on Aug. 25, 2017. His new EP, “For You Dear, Anything,” is the first act, of three-act series, he plans to release in 2020. Act One, is a modern take on the vibe of the 1920s.]

[Nick Siegel plays a “For You, Dear, Anything” EP Release – Streaming Live Performance on Friday, April 10 at 7:00 PM on Facebook Live.]

5. Lyra Pramuk – “Mirror”
from: Fountain / Bedroom Community / March 20, 2020
[Lyra Pramuk’s debut explores a post-human, non-binary understanding of life. Lyra fuses classical training, pop sensibilities, performance practices and contemporary club culture in what may best be described as futurist folk music. The American opera-trained vocalist and electronic musician releases her album via Iceland’s Bedroom Community label. Created entirely from her own voice, although often shaped and structured by electronics, Fountain is an emotional, sensual, and devotional journey. The title is derived from her family name, Pramuk, which translates from Czech as ‘well spring’ or ‘fountain.’ Often wordless, these songs evoke a new wholeness sustained by the ritual force of drowning, immersion, cleansing, and bathing – also referred to in the album artwork by acclaimed visual artist Donna Huanca. Fountain plays with the perception of music, rhythms, speech, body, and the relation between technology and humanity, exploring a post-human, non-binary understanding of life and the fragile ecosystems it depends on. The work documents a healing that is still in process, and a full circle-moment that reunited Lyra with her sound engineer twin brother, Ben, for the final mix, which they completed in tandem. As a vocal activist and member of the queer community, Lyra moved to Berlin in 2013, following her degree at the Eastman School of Music in New York. Since then, she has also been awarded residencies at Elektronmusikstudion EMS Stockholm, Open Port Club Residency in Tokyo and Sapporo, and Future Music Lab of the Atlantic Music Festival in Maine. Her interests also encompass writing, poetry, and fashion, where she is sometimes called upon as a model. As a performance artist, she has collaborated extensively with Donna Huanca and at events such as Glasgow International and the Rochester Fringe Festival. Music composed and produced by Lyra Pramuk. Vocals recorded by Lyra Pramuk and Ben Pramuk in Berlin and at EMS Elektronmusikstudion in Stockholm. Mixed by Ben Pramuk in Berlin. Mastered by Valgeir Sigurðsson and Francesco Fabris at Greenhouse Studios.]

6. The Abracadabras – “Give Me Your Name”
from: Be Still, Be Cool / The Abracadabras / January 1, 2008
[5-piece KC band formed in the spring of 2007, with John Nixon on keyboards & vocals, Travis Mckenzie on lead guitar, Bobby (Wayne Hutcherson) Topaz on guitar & vocals, Collin Rausch on bass & vocals, and Kyle Rausch on drums & vocals. Richard Gintowt wrote about The Abracadabras for the October 9, 2008 edition of The Pitch: Be Still, Be Cool is …an avalanche of tunes inspired by alternative rock, Britpop, ’60s psychedelia, hippie folk, and swampy Southern blues. Regardless of what labels or managers get behind it (or not), Be Still, Be Cool sounds like a big-time record — not the annoying Fall Out Boy sort but rather the well-rounded Supergrass variety. Recorded with producer Mike Crawford at his upstart studio, The Impossible Box, the album showcases a breadth of recording techniques from one-take numbers to the sort of trickery that has informed albums since Sgt. Pepper’s. Each track is stacked with harmonies, guitar overdubs and vintage keyboards. “We threw the whole kitchen sink into it,” lead singer John Nixon says. “Mike added a lot of great X factors to tracks. He’d dial up perfect guitar and keyboard tones.” Nixon says the group intended to stack the front of the record with pop songs and then let it “slowly unveil itself as something else.” The song “Deep” is a mellow acoustic number in the vein of CSN&Y, while “Show Me the Sunrise, Callie Anne” summons the campfire country-rock of the Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers. Such detours complement infectious two-minute singles like “C’mon and Get It!” and “An Argument.” “We’re enthusiasts of the art of order and timing,” Collin Rausch says. “One of my favorite things to do is take classic rock records and rearrange them to see if I can make them better.” This Friday’s album-release party at the Riot Room should offer a sense of vindication after a long summer. The frustrating events unfolded in July, when a prospective label fell out of the loop and manager Harley Sears also exited the picture. Sears, who also worked with KC bands Lovers in Transit and the Rich Boys, relocated to New York City in May. He says the decision to part ways with the Abracadabras was “amicable and necessary” due to other commitments. “I enjoyed the time we spent together,” Sears says. “Their new album was a labor of love, and the end result was a true work of art.” However amicable the split was, the Abracadabras couldn’t help but feel a bit bummed. “We went from almost being signed and having a manager and possibly moving to nothing,” Rausch says. “No matter how hard you try to stay grounded, you get your hopes up.” Adds guitarist Bobby Topaz (real name: Wayne Hutcherson): “It was like the rug was pulled out from under us. There was a week where we all sitting around scratching our heads like, ‘What’s next?’” The events motivated the group to self-release Be Still, Be Cool. They began unveiling tracks on their MySpace page a couple of months ago, leading up to a free release of the album this week. Rather than invest in hard copies, the band is handing out cards with free download codes. They also plan to make the entire album available for download via MySpace. “I think in the long term it’ll be better to give it away,” Nixon says. “The point is that we’re not big, and we’re not making money now anyways, so we may as well try to get people to come to shows.” Nixon is also adamant about downsizing the group’s reputation for dressing up at shows, preferring to redirect the focus toward the music. “It became more of a thing to talk about what we were wearing than what we were doing,” he says. “[Making the record] was a long and frustrating journey, so we had to do things to entertain ourselves and the audience in the meantime. I think we all like making music more than putting on shiny jackets and making sure our hair is pretty. We like that, too, obviously”.]

10:25 – Underwriting

7. L A Jones – “Blonde”
from: Blonde – Single / L A Jones / March 1, 2020
[New single from LA Jones, from Kansas City. Formed in 2016 by Danielle Jones and Tim O’Connor, the band has now grown to feature a three piece horn section, keys, bass, & drums. Band Members include: Danielle Jones on lead vocals, Tim O’Connor on guitar & vocals, Marcus Grimes on keyboards, Jeramy Johnston on bass, Daniel Dissmore on trumpet, Trevor Turla on trombone, Matt Cook on saxophone, and Cade Pool on drums.]

Tim O’Connor & Danielle Jones of L A Jones on the April 8, 2020 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI 90.1 FM.

10:31 – Interview with Danielle Jones & Tim O’Connor

Danielle Jones and Tim O’Connor formed the KC based soul-pop band LA Jones in 2016. After a string of singles they released their debut EP Bring Me Back Down last year. L A Jones includes: Danielle Jones on vocals, Tim O’Connor on guitar & vocals, Marcus Grimes on keyboards, Jeramy Johnston on bass, Daniel Dissmore on trumpet, Trevor Turla on trombone, Matt Cook on sax, and Cade Pool on drums. Danielle and Tim joined us last fall to premiere their single, “Behind The Times”. Danielle and Tim are back today to talk about the newest L A Jones single, “Blonde.”

Danielle Jones & Tim O’Connor, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Danielle Jones I Tim O’Connor of L A Jones

L A Jones includes:

Danielle Jones on vocals
Tim O’Connor on guitar & vocals
Marcus Grimes on keyboards
Jeramy Johnston on bass
Daniel Dissmore on trumpet,
Trevor Turla on trombone
Matt Cook on sax
Cade Pool on drums

Last year L A Jones played the Plaza Art Fair, on September 20, on the INK Live Stage, and they played Camp Leavenworth Festival, September 21.

Danielle Jones currently works for The Pet Project. She has previously worked as a Substitute teacher at Blue Springs School District she has also worked in the Independence School District and Liberty Public Schools.

Danielle Jones Studied Music theatre at Kansas State University from 2011 to 2015

She is originally from Dodge City, Kansas and currently lives in Independence, Missouri

Tim O’Connor & Danielle Jones of L A Jones on the April 8, 2020 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI 90.1 FM.

Last year Danielle Jones married Tim O’Connor

Tim O’Connor has previously worked as a Percussion Instructor at Liberty North High School, Percussion Instructor at Blue Springs High School and Percussion Instructor at William Chrisman High School

Tim O’Connor studied at Kansas State University from 2011 to 2016

Tim is originally from from Louisburg, KS and currently lives in Independence, Missouri.

Danielle Jones & Tim O’Connor, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

For info about the new L A Jones single, “Blonde.” you can visit: http://www.officiallajones.com

10:42

8. L A Jones – “Addicted”
from: Bring Me Back Down EP / L A Jones / April 12, 2019
[LA Jones were formed in 2016 by partners Danielle Jones and Tim O’Connor, the band has now grown to feature a wide variety of instruments and members including a three piece horn section, keys, bass, and drums. They blend a style of funk and soul with contemporary pop/rock music drawing comparisons to Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder, and The Revivalists. Band Members include: Danielle Jones on lead vocals, Tim O’Connor on guitar & vocals, Marcus Grimes on keyboards, Jeramy Johnston on bass, Daniel Dissmore on trumpet, Trevor Turla on trombone, Matt Cook on saxophone, and Cade Pool on drums.]

9. Parade – “North/South”
from: Mend Melodies / Parade / March 1, 2020
[Parade calls their music “genre fluid.” The band is based in KC, with Seth Props on guitar, Claire Monroe on guitar, and Patrick Sanders on bass guitar. Seth who writes and produces most of their music also plays in the band Stary with Adam Stary and Marisa Tejeda. Parade released (Solo Demos) on August 20, 2019. Parade released the 13-song, self titled Parade on, September 2, 2019. Parade released the 13-track Mend Melodies on March 1, 2020, and recently the 13-track, Quarantine Demos on March 31, 2020]

10. Yves Tumor – “Identity Trade”
from: Heaven To a Tortured Mind / Warp Records / April 2, 2020
[4th album from Sean Bowie, best known by the recording alias Yves Tumor, is an American producer of experimental electronic music, born in Miami, Florida and currently based in Turin, Italy. Raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Tumor started making music at age 17 as an outlet away from “dull, conservative surroundings.” They taught themself to play drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards. Describing their experience growing up in Tennessee as unpleasant, they moved at age 20 to San Diego, and after college to Los Angeles, where they met Mykki Blanco in 2012, with whom they later toured for two and a half years throughout Europe and Asia.In the early 2010s, Tumor recorded as Teams, and made music which AllMusic described as “post-chillwave”. They debuted their Yves Tumor project in 2015 with an EP for Berlin’s experimental club label Janus, and another one for Blanco’s label, Dogfood MG. That same year, they self-released their first album, When Man Fails You (which would later be re-released by Apothecary Compositions on April 29, 2016). In September 2016, Tumor signed with PAN Records and released its label debut, Serpent Music. They had worked on the album for three years after moving to Leipzig, Germany. The album was recorded between Miami, Leipzig, Los Angeles and Berlin. In Pitchfork’s review of the album, critic Andy Beta compared Tumor’s musical style to James Ferraro and Dean Blunt, and noted their use of “unsettling percussive loops and field recordings to create a mood as if lost in a strange urban landscape”. In September 2017, Tumor released a compilation album titled Experiencing the Deposit of Faith for free. Later that week, it was revealed through a tour announcement that Tumor had signed to Warp Records. Following the announcement, they embarked on a tour with a new audiovisual show. In September 2018, Tumor released their Warp debut, Safe in the Hands of Love, with no prior announcement. It was preceded by the singles “Noid” on July 24, “Licking an Orchid” featuring James K on August 29, and “Lifetime” on September 3. The album received universal acclaim from music critics. Pitchfork’s Jayson Greene stated in their review that the album “dwarfs everything the artist has released by several orders of magnitude. The leap is so audacious it’s disorienting.” Tumor’s fourth album, Heaven to a Tortured Mind, was released on April 3, 2020, preceded on March 3 by the single “Kerosene” featuring Diana Gordon. Alexis Petridis, reviewing the album for The Guardian, awarded it Album of the Week, describing it as “extraordinary: experimental, capable of any genre, with an internal logic powering its shifts in mood. Tumor has cited Throbbing Gristle as a major influence, saying: “There’s something about their music, like the hypnotic trance vibes, that really influenced me.]

11. The Black Creatures – “Elements”
from: “Wild Echoes” / The Black Creatures / September 30, 2019
[Darkpop hip-hop musical pulling elements from sci-fi to tell an inter-dimensional story. Xavier Martin and Jade Green have made an impression of the KC music community with their videos and songs, live shows in clubs, art galleries, record stores, area music festivals and shows in surrounding areas. They’ve released an EP, an album, several singles.]

12. Sudan Archives – “Confessions”
from: Athena / Stones Throw Records / November 1, 2019
[LA based violinist Sudan Archives, combines elements of the modern and ancient. The 23 year-old self-taught violinist draws inspiration from Sudanese fiddlers, R&B, West African rhythms, and experimental electronic music. Building records around rhythms and melodies from the strings of her violin and raw vocals, Sudan effortlessly draws the link between traditional African music and contemporary electronic production.]

11:00 – Station ID

13. Be/Non – “Over The Moon”
from: A Valley of No: The Alternative A Mountain of Yeses / Haymaker Records / Apr. 8, 2020
[Originally released May 12, 2009, A Mountain of Yeses 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.”]

11:04 – Interview with Brenton Cook & Brodie Rush

Brenton Cook of Haymaker Records on the April 8, 2020 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI 90.1 FM.

Brenton Cook studied Computer Science at Missouri University of Science and Technology, in Rolla, Missouri, where he also had his own college radio show. Brenton has produced extensive compilations of area music for the Midwest Music Foundation. He formed the Kansas City independent music label, Haymaker Records in January 2014. The label has released multiple full length albums, for Monta At Odds, HMPH!, Be/Non, Jorge Arana Trio, Riala, Mysterious Clouds, Sie Lieben Maschinen, Schwervon!, and others on vinyl, cassette, CD, and 7 “. He has also produced two Haymaker compilation releases, called Fairgrounds. For the last 7 years, Brenton has been a co-curator of the Outer Reaches Fest.

Brenton Cook , thanks or being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Brodie Rush of Be/Non on the April 8, 2020 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI 90.1 FM.

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 2009 release, A Mountain of Yeses. The new release is called, A Valley of No: The Alternative A Mountain of Yeses. And it is being released today, through Haymaker Records.

Brodie Rush, thanks or being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Brenton Cook of Haymaker Records & Brodie Rush of Be/Non join us (on the phone), to share tracks from, A Valley of No: The Alternative A Mountain of Yeses which is being made available TODAY

Be/Non circa 2008-2009

Originally released May 12, 2009, “A Mountain of Yeses” was made by:
Brodie Rush on everything, vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards;
Ben Ruth on bass guitar;
Ryan Shank on drums & percussion,
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. “

11:14

14. Be/Non – “Travel”
from: A Valley of No: The Alternative A Mountain of Yeses / Haymaker Records / Apr. 8, 2020
[Originally released May 12, 2009, A Mountain of Yeses 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.”]

11:17 – More Interview with Brenton Cook & Brodie Rush

We are talking with Brenton Cook & Brodie Rush about Be/Non’s A Valley of No: The Alternative A Mountain of Yeses., an album that contains track for track alternate mixes, isolated tracks and demos of A Mountain of Yeses, Originally released May 12, 2009. More info at http://www.haymakerrecords.net

Director of Animation & Motion Graphics at Crush Media

A visual accompaniment to the album has been in production since 2008 and now has a 2021 release date.”

Brenton Cook & Brodie Rush, thanks or being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Haymaker Records is releasing Be/Non’s A Valley of No: The Alternative A Mountain of Yeses., an album that contains track for track alternate mixes, isolated tracks and demos of A Mountain of Yeses, Originally released May 12, 2009. More info at http://www.haymakerrecords.net http://www.crushmediakc.com http://www.brodierush.com

11:27

15. Be/Non – “Assention”
from: A Valley of No: The Alternative A Mountain of Yeses / Haymaker Records / Apr. 8, 2020
[Originally released May 12, 2009, A Mountain of Yeses 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.”]

11:29 – Underwriting

Rosé Perez

16. Rosé Perez – “Megan’s Wedding”
from: Born in A Bag (Split EP with Period BOMB) / Rosé Perez / October 23, 2019
[Rosé Perez is Carrie Wallen on guitar & keyboards, 2007 Balquier on bass & drums, and Lina Žemaitė on drums & bass. Rosé Perez recently released a new video for their song “Placenta Agenda” from their EP split with the band Period BOMB. The Rosé Perez tracks for this split were recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jametatone at The Infoaming Vortex.]

11:35 – Interview with Carrie Wallen, 2007 Balquier, & Lina Žemaitė

Carrie Anne Wallen of Rosé Perez on the April 8, 2020 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI 90.1 FM.

Carrie Anne Wallen is a multi media performance artist, She plays guitar and keyboards, and writes music. Carrie is currently a Charlotte Street Studio Resident working in illustration, 90’s glitch art inspired collage, audio/visual performance art, installations and musical satirization of the toxicities of contemporary culture. Carrie Anne writes irreverent songs that are based on factual information mixed with dark humor. Her performance art uses theater, digital data corruption, interactive video and costumes in a musical satirization of social injustice, gender roles and the prescriptive capitalist agenda. The majority of her work is collaborative. Carrie Anne’s focus is to inspire cheerfulness, inclusivity and resistance.Carrie was previously in pop-goth band, Ricki Wallen. In 2017 she received a bachelor’s degree in urban planning from Missouri State University.

Carrie Wallen, thanks for being with us on WMM.

2007 Balquier of Rosé Perez on the April 8, 2020 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI 90.1 FM.

2007 Balquier, is also known as Whorxata. They are a multi-disciplined artist creating works in converging media, music production, and video work. Their work as Dj Whorxata (hor-chata) involves blending and mixing varieties of dance and club music to create a queer-inclusive, body positive, sex positive space. 2007 plays bass and drums in Rosé Perez.

2007 Balquier, thanks for being with us on WMM.

Lina Žemaitė of Rosé Perez on the April 8, 2020 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI 90.1 FM.

Lina Zemaite is a Kansas City based multi instrumentalist, performance artist, and composer. Lina is the drummer for acclaimed girl pop group Rosé Perez. She is also the saxophonist and clarinetist for experimental jazz group HANNAH, as well as a vocalist for industrial act Killus.

Lina Žemaitė, thanks for being with us on WMM.

Rosé Perez join us to talk about their debut release, Born in A Bag, the band’s Split EP with post punk band / multi media project, Period BOMB, released on October 23, 2019.

Rosé Perez

Rosé Perez is:
Carrie Wallen on guitar & keyboards,
2007 Balquier on bass & drums,
Lina Žemaitė on drums & bass.

Rosé Perez recently released a new video for their song “Placenta Agenda.”

The Rosé Perez tracks were recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jametatone J. Ashley Miller at The Infoaming Vortex.

Rosé Perez recently released a new video for their song “Placenta Agenda.”

11:49

17. Rosé Perez – “Placenta Agenda”
from: Born in A Bag (Split EP with Period BOMB) / Rosé Perez / October 23, 2019
[Rosé Perez is Carrie Wallen on guitar & keyboards, 2007 Balquier on bass & drums, and Lina Žemaitė on drums & bass. Rosé Perez recently released a new video for their song “Placenta Agenda” from their EP split with the band Period BOMB. The Rosé Perez tracks for this split were recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jametatone at The Infoaming Vortex..]

18. John Prine – “Illegal Smile”
from: John Prine / Atlantic / 1971
[John Prine (October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020) was an American country folk singer-songwriter. He was active as a composer, recording artist, and live performer from the early 1970s until his death, and was known for an often humorous style of country music that has elements of protest and social commentary. Born and raised in Maywood, Illinois, Prine learned to play the guitar at the age of 14. He attended classes at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. After serving in West Germany with the U.S. Army, he moved to Chicago in the late 1960s, where he worked as a mailman, writing and singing songs as a hobby. A member of Chicago’s folk revival, he was discovered by Kris Kristofferson (although Prine himself credited film critic Roger Ebert[2]), resulting in the production of Prine’s self-titled debut album with Atlantic Records in 1971. After receiving critical acclaim, Prine focused on his musical career, recording three more albums for Atlantic. He then signed to Asylum Records, where he recorded an additional three albums. In 1984 he co-founded Oh Boy Records, an independent record label with which he would release most of his subsequent albums. After his battle with squamous cell cancer in 1998, Prine’s vocals deepened into a gravelly voice.Widely cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Prine was known for humorous lyrics about love, life, and current events, as well as serious songs with social commentary, and songs which recollect melancholy tales from his life. // John Prine is the début album by American country/folk singer-songwriter John Prine, issued by Atlantic Records in 1971. In 2012, the album was ranked number 452 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Prine was offered a recording contract by Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records after the record executive saw the singer perform several of his own songs at a Kris Kristofferson show at the Bitter End. The song “Paradise” was recorded at A&R Studios in New York (with Prine’s brother Dave and good friend Steve Goodman as sidemen) but the remaining cuts were recorded at American Sound Studios in Memphis. Produced by Arif Mardin, who had previously collaborated with the likes of Aretha Franklin and King Curtis, Prine found his new studio surroundings intimidating. In the Great Days: The John Prine Anthology liner notes he admits, “I was terrified. I went straight from playing by myself, still learning how to sing, to playing with Elvis Presley’s rhythm section.” Initially, the musicians at American, accustomed to playing heavily rhythmic material and funky grooves, were thrown by Prine and his songs. As recounted in Eddie Huffman’s biography John Prine: In Spite of Himself, percussionist Hayward Bishop later recalled, “There was no evidence of groove whatever, and I was hungry for groove. Prine came off like a folk poet. This guy was really nasally, he didn’t have any tone to his voice, and all his songs were in the same key! I thought, ‘This is gonna be like milking a dag-blasted dog!’”]

19. True Lions – “Life is Gold”
from: You’re Not Invited / True Lions / November 9, 2019
[Second EP released in 2019 from True Lions with: Alison Hawkins on guitar, synth, and vocals; Elizabeth Kosko on percussion, vocals; Mikala Petillo on bass, vocals; Claire Adams on guitar, vocals; Leslie Butsch on saxophone, Ezgi Karakus on cello; and Teri Quinn on vocals. All songs written by True Lions and produced by Claire Adams and Alison Hawkins. Tracking Engineering by Claire Adams. Mixing and Mastering by Ian Dobyns and Chase Horseman. Album Artwork by Genevieve Sloan. Special thanks to Calvin Arsenia and Fritz Hutchison. The band released their debut EP”Cute At Best” Feb. 5, 2019 with Alison Hawkins on guitar, piano, synth, vocals; Mikala Petillo on percussion, bass, guitar, vocals; and with Ross Brown serving as producer & engineer; and Nika Winn providing artwork. This EP began as an unrelated, musical dispute between lovers, but triumphantly became the spunky collaboration of two midwestern “woms” whose passion for playing music nearly exceeds their desire to create it.]

[True Lions play a Live Stream Concert on Saturday, April 11, at 7:00 PM.]

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

Next week, on Wednesday, April 15 we will be presenting more New & MidCoastal Releases. We will also talk with Jesse Kates of The Sexy Accident, Mikala Petillo of Miki P and the Swallowtails, and Jenna Rae of Lost Cowgirl Records

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 #832

WMM presents L A Jones, Be/Non, and Rosé Perez

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Mark Manning

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, April 8, 2020

New & MidCoastal Releases + Rosé Perez
+ Danielle Jones & Tim O’Connor of L A Jones +
Brenton Cook & Brodie Rush of Be/Non

Mark plays New & MidCostal Releases from: R.I.Peter, Nick Siegel, L A Jones, Rosé Perez, Fullbloods, True Lions, Parade, The Black Creatures, Be/Non, The Abracadabras, Lyra Pramuk, Yves Tumor, Sudan Archives, and Patti Smith Group.

Danielle Jones and Tim O’Connor of L A Jones

At 10:30 Danielle Jones & Tim O’Connor of the Kansas City based band L A Jones join us (on the phone). The soul-pop band was formed in 2016 and includes: Danielle Jones on vocals, Tim O’Connor on guitar & vocals, Marcus Grimes on keyboards, Jeramy Johnston on bass, Daniel Dissmore on trumpet, Trevor Turla on trombone, Matt Cook on sax, and Cade Pool on drums. Mark will play the new L A Jones single “Blonde.” More information at http://www.officiallajones.com

Be/Non circa 2008-09

At 11:00 Brenton Cook of Haymaker Records & Brodie Rush of Be/Non join us (on the phone), to share tracks from, A Valley of No: The Alternative A Mountain of Yeses. Originally released May 12, 2009, A Mountain of Yeses 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.”

Rosé Perez

At 11:30 members of the Kansas City based art rock band, Rosé Perez join us (on the phone) to share music from their debut release, Born in A Bag, the band’s Split EP with Miami, Florida post punk band / multi media project, Period BOMB, released on October 23, 2019. Rosé Perez include: Carrie Wallen on guitar & keyboards, 2007 Balquier on bass & drums, and Lina Žemaitė on drums & bass. Rosé Perez recently released a new video for their song “Placenta Agenda.” The Rosé Perez tracks were recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jametatone at The Infoaming Vortex.

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

Show #832

WMM Playlist from April 1, 2020

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Mark Manning

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, April 1, 2020

“The He Touched Me Gospel Hour”
+ Charlie Colborne & Bill Belzer of Miss Boating

10:00 – “The He Touched Me Gospel Hour”
A Pre-Easter Family Reunion
Written by: Jim “The Blind Guy” Hoschek and Mark Manning
Original Music by: Bj McArthur & Tod Davis – Two Headed Cow
(This was an April Fool’s Day Rebroadcast from April 1, 2015)

The Cast of The He Touched Me Gospel Hour (April 1, 2015)

Our Cast:
Brother James White Sr. (Church leader) – Jim “The Blind Guy” Hoschek
Brother Wendell Larry Straight Bachmann (Assistant in Ministry) – Mark Manning
Edith Maxine (Mrs. James White Sr.) – Philip Hooser
Mother Blanche (Edith’s Mom) – Sherry Diggs
Bertha and Beulah (Edith’s twin sisters) – Fran Stanton
Ms. Kiki Jackson, (the Bail-Bonds Woman from Raytown) – Bj McArthur
Bess (White) Blanc (James & Edith’s long lost daughter) – Bess Wallerstein
Prudence Chastity (Director of MO/KAN Exodus) – Maria Vasquez Boyd
Billy Ricky Martin (recent graduate of MO/KAN Exodus) – Ryan Wilks
Jimmy Bobby Jr. (James & Edith’s youngest son) – Tod Davis

1. DJ Spooky – “Interlude: Journey Into Sound”
from: Adbusters Live Witout Dead Time / Adbuster / 2004

2. Tomita – “Snowflakes Are Dancing”
from: Snoflakes Are Dancing / BMG RCA / 2000 [orig. 1974]

3. Dave Boyer – “He Touched Me”
from: It’s A New World / Reverence / 1968 [Vinyl]

4. Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton – “Satan’s River”
from: We Found It / RCA / February 12, 1972 [Vinyl]

5. The Girls of The Golden West – “Will There Be Any Yodelers in Heaven”
from: American Yodeling / Goldenlane / 2009

6. Roberta Crane – “Everyday With Jesus” [Vinyl]
from: And His Word Became a Song / Global Outreach Publishers / Date unknown (1972?)

7. Holly Day Singers – “He Touched Me”
from: Switched on Gospel 30 Non-Stop Favorites / K-tel / February 14, 2008

8. Jim Nabors – “My Cup Runneth Over”
from: A Big Voice! A Big Heart! / Sony / 1991 [orig. 1972]

9. Jimmy Bobby & Kiki – “Eden Alley” (LIVE)
(Bj McArthur & Tod Davis are Two Headed Cow)

10. Jimmy Bobby & Kiki & Cast – “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms” (LIVE)

We’re all just April Fools!

11:00 – WMM with Charlie Colborne & Bill Belzer

Transition Music:

11. The Phenomenal Handclap Band – “I’ve Been Born Again”
from: The Phenomenal Handclap Band / Tummy Touch Records / June 23, 2009
[from the debut album of The Phenomenal Handclap Band a psychedelic soul band from New York City. Their first full-length record, Phenomenal Handclap Band, was released in 2009 on Friendly Fire Recordings in the US and in 2010 on Tummy Touch Records. The album was also released world wide by KSR in Japan, Inertia in Australia, GOMMA in Germany, and Universal Records in the Philippines. The band was started by Daniel Collás and Sean Marquand. Both Collás and Marquand were DJs and production partners working around the New York City area producing records for other artists. The two soon starting writing and producing their own music. While recording original material, Collás and Marquand had help from various local artists to help record their music such as Aurelio Valle, Carol C, Jaleel Bunton, Jon Spencer, and Lady Tigra. In 2011, Phenomenal Handclap Band toured the US and UK with Bryan Ferry. Their second full-length album, Form and Control, was released February 13th, 2012.]

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

13. 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”.]

White Rabbit!

14. Psychic TV – “Godstar”
from: Godstar – Single / Temple Records / 1985
[Godstar feature the band The Angels of Light. The song was about the life of Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones, with whom Genesis P-Orridge had a peculiar fascination. The song was covered by Television Personalities on their album Don’t Cry Baby, It’s Only A Movie. Psychic TV (also referred to as PTV, Psychick TV, as well as several other aliases) were an English experimental video art and music group, formed by performance artist Genesis P-Orridge and Scottish musician Alex Fergusson in 1981 after the break-up of Throbbing Gristle. Contributors to Psychic TV have included artists such as Coil, Current 93, Monte Cazazza, Larry Thrasher, Soft Cell, The Cult, Master Musicians of Jajouka, William Breeze, Derek Jarman, John Gosling, Timothy Leary, Rose McDowall, Andrew Weatherall, and Z’EV. Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth formed as an organisation at the inception of the band, who conceived it as a magical order and the philosophical wing of Psychic TV. T.O.P.Y. also functions as a cult-like fan-club for the group. Psychic TV have released over one hundred full-length albums to date, and earned an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for most records released in one year (1986). This occurred after the band attempted to release 23 live albums on the 23rd day of 23 consecutive months. Psychic TV was influential in pioneering the acid house genre, releasing several fake compilations in an effort to popularize the sound, such as Jack the Tab and Tekno Acid Beat. According to some, acid house was actually given its name by Genesis Breyer P-Orridge. After breaking up in 1999, Psychic TV reformed as PTV3 with a completely new line-up in 2003, and continued to perform and release music.] [Genesis Breyer P-Orridge was born February 22, 1950 and died this year on March 14, 2020. Genesis P-Orridge was an English singer-songwriter, musician, poet, performance artist, and occultist. They rose to notability as the founder of the COUM Transmissions artistic collective and lead vocalist of seminal industrial band Throbbing Gristle. P-Orridge was also a founding member of Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth occult group, and fronted the experimental band Psychic TV. P-Orridge preferred gender-neutral pronouns when being described. Born in Manchester as Neil Andrew Megson, P-Orridge developed an early interest in art, occultism, and the avant-garde while at Solihull School. After dropping out of studies at the University of Hull, P-Orridge moved into a counter-cultural commune in London and adopted Genesis P-Orridge as a nom-de-guerre. On returning to Hull, P-Orridge founded COUM Transmissions with Cosey Fanni Tutti, and in 1973 P-Orridge relocated to London. COUM’s confrontational performance work, dealing with such subjects as sex work, pornography, serial killers, and occultism, represented a concerted attempt to challenge societal norms and attracted the attention of the national press. COUM’s 1976 Prostitution show at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts was particularly vilified by tabloids, gaining them the moniker of the “wreckers of civilisation.” P-Orridge’s band, Throbbing Gristle, grew out of COUM, and were active from 1975 to 1981 as pioneers in the industrial music genre. In 1981, P-Orridge co-founded Psychic TV, an experimental band that from 1988 onward came under the increasing influence of acid house. A controversial figure with an anti-establishment stance, P-Orridge was heavily criticised by the British press and politicians. P-Orridge was cited as an icon within the avant-garde art scene, accrued a cult following, and has been given the moniker of the “Godparent of Industrial Music”. When Genesis was 45 years old, they met their second wife-to-be, Lady Jaye (née Jacqueline Breyer) in a BDSM dungeon in New York City. Lady Jaye, 26 years old at the time, worked as a nurse during the daytime, providing care for children with terminal illnesses and disabilities. In the evenings, Lady Jaye working as a dominatrix at the dungeon, and Genesis was a visiting customer. As Genesis explained, ..this girl walked by with a beautiful Brian Jones blonde bob and all ’60s clothes. And she was walking backwards and forwards with a cigarette in her hand, talking to somebody. And as she carried on walking back and forth, she gradually started to throw off those clothes and change into a really amazing leather fetish outfit. My goodness, who is that? She’s so beautiful. We found ourselves saying out loud, dear universe, if we can be with that person for the rest of our life, that’s all we want. In January 1993, Genesis and Lady Jaye moved to Ridgewood, Queens, in New York City. Here, they embarked on the “Pandrogeny Project”; influenced by the cut-up technique, the duo underwent body modification to resemble one another, thus coming to identify themselves as a single pandrogynous being named “Breyer P-Orridge”. In doing so, the pair spent $200,000 on surgical alteration, receiving breast implants, cheek and chin implants, lip plumping, eye and nose jobs, tattooing, and hormone therapy, while also adopting gender neutral and alternating pronouns. With this project, P-Orridge’s intent was to express a belief that the self is pure consciousness trapped within the DNA-governed body. The couple adopted the term “pandrogyne” because, in their words, “we wanted a word without any history or any connections with things, a word with its own story and its own information”. They also stated that: We started out, because we were so crazy in love, just wanting to eat each other up, to become each other and become one. And as we did that, we started to see that it was affecting us in ways that we didn’t expect. Really, we were just two parts of one whole; the pandrogyne was the whole and we were each other’s other half. During this era, a book was published of Breyer P-Orridge’s writings, poems, and observations, called Ooh, You Are Awful … But I Like You!. In June 1998, Breyer P-Orridge won a $1.5 million lawsuit against producer Rick Rubin and his American Recordings label for injuries sustained while trying to escape a fire at Rubin’s home in April 1995. According to Breyer P-Orridge’s attorney, David D. Stein, Breyer P-Orridge was staying at Rubin’s home, as a guest of Love and Rockets, when the fire broke out. Breyer P-Orridge tried to escape the house by crawling through a second-storey window and fell onto concrete stairs. Between them, Breyer P-Orridge suffered a broken wrist, broken ribs, and a pulmonary embolism, as well as a shattered left elbow that, according to Stein, prevented P-Orridge from playing bass or keyboards. They remained in hospital for 10 days. The jury found that the liability for the fire rested with Rubin and American Recordings, and awarded Breyer P-Orridge $1,572,000 in compensation. Breyer P-Orridge appeared in the 1998 film and 2000 book versions of Modulations. As well as appearing in the 1999 film, Better Living Through Circuitry, in the 2004 film DiG!, Bruce LaBruce’s 2004 film The Raspberry Reich, the 2006 documentary Monks: The Transatlantic Feedback, in Nik Sheehan’s 2007 feature documentary on the Dreamachine entitled ‘FLicKeR’, and the 2010 documentary “William S. Burroughs: A Man Within”. On October 9, 2007, Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge died. The cause of death was heart arrhythmia, a heart condition that was possibly related to stomach cancer. Psychic TV cancelled its North American tour dates in the aftermath of Lady Jaye’s death. A memorial was held at the Participant Inc. Gallery in New York City on March 8, 2008. As of January 2013, P-Orridge’s official website said: Since that time Genesis continues to represent the amalgam Breyer P-Orridge in the material ‘world’ and Lady Jaye represents the amalgam Breyer P-Orridge in the immaterial ‘world’ creating an ongoing interdimensional collaboration. Thus, P-Orridge continued the Pandrogyne Project, having further surgical operations to alter their body and using “we” when in reference to themselves. In June 2010, P-Orridge sold the Ridgewood property, holding a garage sale in the basement of a local art gallery to sell off a range of personal items, in addition to an array of dildos. This accomplished, P-Orridge moved to a one-bedroom apartment in New York’s Lower East Side, and continued producing art in this home. P-Orridge returned to touring with Psychic TV in 2016 with the release of their album Alienist. The tour lasted from mid-September to early December, with concerts in Greece, Israel, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the U.S. In mid-2016, P-Orridge’s artwork was the subject of an exhibition, “Try to Altar Everything”, at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City. The exhibition contained paintings, sculptures, and installations inspired by the Hindu mythology that P-Orridge had encountered in Kathmandu. In June 2016, P-Orridge featured as a model in a campaign by the designer Marc Jacobs, who described P-Orridge as “a sort of come-to-life definition of realness and authenticity”. P-Orridge was diagnosed with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia in October 2017, and died in NYC on March 14, 2020, aged 70. More info at: http://www.genesisporridge.com]

15. 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.]

Charlie Colborne of Miss Boating

Bill Belzer of Miss Boating

11:15 – Interview with Charlie Colborne & Bill Belzer

Charlie Colborne is Senior Editor & Editorial Manager for Greeting Cards at Andrews McMeel Publishing. Prior to this position Charlie worked as an Attorney for many years as a Public Defender. Charlie Colborne is from KC, and literally lives 3 blocks from where he was born. As he writes, “…basically, he’s gone nowhere.’ Charlie came from a musical family, his mother Kathleen passed down to him her love of playing the piano. Charlie has been playing in bands since the late 1980s including The Larvae, The Post-Executives, Crackpot Idealists, Borax Babies, Faun, The Sympathetic Fringe, The Escapegoats, The Sleazebeats and Miss Boating. Charlie also has collaborated with theatre performances.

Charlie Colborne, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Bill Belzer was born on the day Nixon was elected to his only full term (November 5, 1968 ) at the now demolished St. Mary’s Hospital, in a room over-looking the Liberty Memorial. He played bass guitar and drums in high school, first at Catholic Savior of the World High School Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas and then Rockhurst High School, in Kansas City, Missouri, from which he graduated in 1987. While at Rockhurst High School he joined the band Mongol Beach Party as drummer. The band’s breakup coincided with Bill leaving to join Uncle Tupelo as drummer for a stint on their European-American Tour with Michelle Shocked, The Band and Taj Mahal in the early 1990s. Like Charlie he has stuck close to home. His beloved boyfriend Aaron plays trombone in Miss Boating and they are both very much looking forward to having band practice again. Bill has been a part of the bands: Mongol Beach Party, Grumpy, Uncle Tupelo, The Grant Hart Band, The Sleazebeats, The Patio Set, The Terrible Twos, Ghosty, Lazy, The New Amsterdams, and Miss Boating.

Bill Belzer Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Charlie Colborne & Bill Belzer join us to talk about their new band, Miss Boating and their EP, The Vhargon Sidestep released January 1, 2020.

Congratulations on the new band Miss Boating, and the new EP The Vhargon Sidestep.

Miss Boating rose from the ashes of your former band The Sleazebeats, who played live in various incarnations for 20 years, always with Bill and Charlie. Releasing a full length album with Jeff Harshbarger on bass on January 1, 2012

Charlie and Bill faced a difficult 2019 when combined with the death of their friend and Sleazebeats bassist, Evan Jolly who took his own life on November 8, 2018, Charlie’s mother passed away on March 1, 2019.

You band wrote that they “were lost when Evan passed.”

Through the difficult times Bill and Charlie kept playing music together as friends. The bad wrote “we were blown away when Phil Dickey wanted to jam with us…”

Phil Dickey is part of the bands: Dragon Inn 3, and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin.

“…the jamming turned into something more and we were going again. We couldn’t be more thankful and humbled.”

A midtown staple, Charlie has been in a bunch of bands, as he humbly writes, “most of which seldom ventured out of the basement.” Here’s the list: The Larvae, The Post-Executives, Crackpot Idealists, Borax Babies, Faun, Sympathetic Fringe, The Sleazebeats, The Escapegoats, Miss Boating

“Jewel In The Trash” was the first single from the new EP

11:24

16. Miss Boating – “Jewel In The Trash”
from: The Vhargon Sidestep / Miss Boating / January 1, 2020
[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.]

11:27 – More Interview with Charlie Colborne & Bill Belzer

Charlie Colborne & Bill Belzer join us to talk about their new band, Miss Boating and their EP, The Vhargon Sidestep released January 1, 2020.

Charlie Colborne & Bill Belzer, thanks or being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

How the band took on the name “Miss Boating,” is inspired by, Charlie’s mom, Kathleen Rita Colborne, who in January 1956, was crowned “Miss Boating” at the Kansas City Sports Show. A photo of Kathleen as Miss Boating went up at the bar in the Twin Oaks apartment complex where she lived. The photo caught the eye of John H. (Jack) Colborne, from Wausau, Wisconsin. They met, and after a brief courtship they married in August 1956.

Miss Boating:
Charlie Colborne on keyboards, guitar, vocals;
Bill Belzer: drums, vocals;
Phil Dickey on bass;
Aaron Jones on trombone;
Tim Gillespie on saxophone.

Charlie Colborne & Bill Belzer, thanks or being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Miss Boating released the debut EP, The Vhargon Sidestep on January 1, 2020.

11:36

17. Miss Boating – “Old Sad Darling”
from: The Vhargon Sidestep / Miss Boating / January 1, 2020
[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.]

11:39 – Other bands with Phil Dickey

18. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – “Harrison Ford”
from: Fly By Wire / Polyvinyl Records / September 17, 2013
[Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin has been playing music in Springfield, Missouri since 1999, when Will Knauer and Philip Dickey met at a Super Bowl party. Where pop perfectionism meets studio experimentation, SSLYBY’s endearing music composes quirky chord changes amid massive hooks and addictive melodies. SSLYBY have become experts in crafting indie pop through a string of 7″s, full-length albums and a rarities collection. SPIN once declared that the Missouri band “could succeed The Shins as the band that will change your life.” Met at a Super Bowl party in 1999. Broncos vs. Falcons. Came up with the band name in 2000. Dorm roommates in 2001. Not really sure about 2002. Recorded a short EP in 2003. Three or four people started going to our shows in 2004.First album. Broom. 2005. First tour. Signed to Polyvinyl Records in 2006. Our song “Oregon Girl” is on The OC. The OC gets canceled a few weeks later. Boris Yeltsin dies 2007. We played in Moscow a couple months later. Also in 2007: First Europe tour. Toured with Mute Math. Second Album. Pershing. 2008. Jonathan briefly quits the band. 2009. Most of our songs are used in an episode of 16 and Pregnant. Start recording LP3 with Chris Walla. Third album. Let It Sway. August 17, 2010. Toured with Tokyo Police Club and Two Door Cinema Club in 2011. SSLYBY in Shark Night 3D September 2011. B-sides/Rarities album. It’s called Tape Club. September 2011. First Japanese tour. Summer 2012. Named U.S. State Department Cultural Ambassadors. Return to Mother Russia January 2013. Made our fourth album back in Will’s attic. It’s called Fly By Wire. Released in August 2013. Realized we’ve played over 600 shows. Recorded a new album at Chris Walla’s Hall of Justice studio in Seattle. Produced by Beau Sorenson. 2015 New album “The High Country” out now on Polyvinyl (US/Europe) and Moorworks (Japan).]

19. Dragon Inn 3 – “Club Sauce”
from: Double Line / American Laundromat Records / August 17, 2018
[Kansas City based band formed in 2012 with Grace Bentley, Sharon Bowie, Philip K. Dickey, E.P. Marcus. Dragon Inn 3’s debut LP clocks in at 28 minutes, but the band spent six years whittling away on the songs that would eventually become Double Line. Combining sugary pop hooks, hypnotic beats, and huge MOOG synths, Dragon Inn 3’s playful take on 80s pop could double as the soundtrack to a John Hughes movie (if John Hughes directed Blade Runner). The cinematic origins of Dragon Inn 3 can be traced back to 2012, when Philip Dickey (leader of the indie-pop group Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin) wrote a theme song for the award-winning short film Ghoul School. “If you watch the trailer you can tell it’s the same premise and look as Stranger Things–we just accidentally made it three years before them,” Dickey says. “I had so much fun making the soundtrack with the director (E.P. Marcus) that we decided to start a band.” Dickey recruited his sister, Sharon Bowie, an occupational therapist, and his wife, children’s librarian Grace Bentley, to help with songwriting and vocal duties. The group self-released the Ghoul School Soundtrack EP in late 2012, receiving high praise from Consequence of Sound, Philadelphia’s WXPN, and The Riverfront Times, before climbing to #1 on Bandcamp’s cassette charts. Then it was back to the studio (i.e. the bedrooms, kitchens, garages, and hotel rooms that doubled as makeshift recording studios). In between full-time jobs, parenthood, graduate school classes, and cross country moves, the members of Dragon Inn 3 put Double Line to tape. “I’m a stay-at-home dad now, so I would work on song arrangements and rough mixes when our toddler was taking his naps,” explains Dickey. “Grace would come home from work and record all her parts after his bedtime. We recorded all the breathy vocals in the living room and all the yelly parts in the garage so we wouldn’t wake him up.” The result is a highly addictive album that creates “a soundtrack for the more introspective moments on and off the dance floor,” according to critic David Greenwald. Opening track “What Kind Of World Are You Living In” plays like Blondie if the band hired Hall and Oates to record guitars. The album takes an intimate turn with “Bad Boy,” Bowie’s dreamy “Rocket Launcher,” and Bentley’s introspective cover of Robin Gibb’s “Juliet.” “3 Minute Mile” swoons with arpeggios and a hypnotic MOOG bass, while Bentley softly repeats the phrase “desperation/bad desire.” Then there are Italo-disco tinged tracks “Backstabber” and “Club Sauce,” with sing-songy pop hooks that harken back to Madonna and Whitney Houston’s greatest hits. “Double Line Theme” and “Murder In The Third” show off DI3’s soundtrack aspirations, and sound like lost Tangerine Dream and Giorgio Moroder B-sides. “Up In The Business” provides indelible synth hooks and a triumphant ending to Double Line. With members spread out over the country (KC, LA, and Springfield, MO), the group signed to American Laundromat Records in early 2018. A demo of “Bad Boy” (co-written with Free Energy’s Paul Sprangers) landed in a commercial for Ryan Adams’ Beats 1 Radio show before the song was even completed.]

11:46 – Underwriting

20. Calvin Arsenia – “Experience”
from: Catastrophe / Calvin Arsenia / February 14, 2017
[Calvin Arsenia premiered these songs in a live show at recordBar in November 2016 in a stage show that involved a company of 50 people, dancers, stilt walkers, special lighting, back up singers, guest artists. 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 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-6-inch harpist with a natural stage command and knack for gilding gold and painting lilies.’
Since Calvin Arsenia came home to KC after living in Edinburgh, Scotland, he has released his EP, Moments, in 2014, and his EP Prose in 2015, and his Folk Alliance exclusive EP Catastrophe in 2016. His full length album Catastrophe on February 14, 2017, His EP Caviar in November 2017. Calvin’s 2018 national debut, Cantaloupe, was released on September 15, 2018 on Center Cut Records. On June 28, 2019 Calvin released Honeydew, an EP including a remix of three songs from Cantaloupe. On September 20, 2019 Calvin released LA Sessions. On December 13, 2019 Calvin released his full length Christmas album “all is calm.” Calvin is also a graduate of Artist INC. Since 2014 we have been celebrating the music of Calvin Arsenia. He has played Folk Alliance International, Kansas City Fringe Fest, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts, The Middle of the Map Fest., The Folly Theatre.]

21. Waxahatchee – “Lilacs”
from: Saint Cloud / Merge Records / March 27, 2020
[All songs written by Katie Crutchfield. Recorded & mixed at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, TX & Long Pond in Stuyvesant, NY. Produced by Brad Cook. Engineered by Jerry Ordonez. Additional engineering by Jon Low. Mixed by Jon Low. Mastered by Brent Lambert at The Kitchen. KATIE CRUTCHFIELD on vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, keys; BRAD COOK on bass, acoustic guitar, piano, keys, synth; BOBBY COLOMBO on electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keys; BILL LENNOX on electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keys, percussion; NICK KINSEY on drums, percussion; JOSH KAUFMAN on electric guitars, piano, organ, percussion. Katie Crutchfield’s southern roots are undeniable. The name of her solo musical project Waxahatchee comes from a creek not far from her childhood home in Alabama and seems to represent both where she came from and where she’s going. More info at: http://www.waxahatchee.com.]

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

Next week, on Wednesday, April 8 we will present more New & Midcoastal Releases. We will talk with members of L A Jones. We ALSO talk with Brenton Cook of Haymaker Records and Brodie Rush of Be/Non about a new Be/Non release. AND, we also talk with members of Rosé Perez.

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 #831

Wednesday MidDay Medley’s The 119 Best Recordings of 2019

Posted on December 26, 2019 by Mark Manning

The 119 Best Recordings of 2019 are based on playlists of Wednesday MidDay Medley. We compiled representative tracks from our favorite full-length and EP recordings of 2019 (and a few that came out late in 2018). We realize these “Best of” lists can seem subjective, so we ask that you please accept our list as a celebration of the year in music. In 2019 we have broadcast nearly 800 musical recordings through our 90.1 FM Community Radio Airwaves. Over 400 of these tracks were from New & MidCoastal Releases. We played tracks from 145 National Releases, and 183 MidCoastal Releases. 75 of the representative tracks in our “Best of” list are from MidCoastal Releases. In 2019 we conducted 127 interviews, with 209 special guests. 43 of the bands and artists in our “Best of” list have joined us as guests on WMM.

(1.) Making Movies – ameri’kana / 3/2 Recordings / May 24, 2019
[Produced by Steve Berlin and Ben Yonas. 3rd full length release from KC based 4-piece band and made up of two sets of brothers: Enrique Chi on guitar and lead vocals; Diego Chi on bass & vocals; Juan-Carlos Chaurand on percussion & keyboards; and Andres Chaurand on drums. The band draws their influences from the origins of their families: Santiago, Panama, and Kansas City, Missouri, and Guadalajara, Mexico. The notes for this album read: “ameri’kana is a canary in a coal mine, the watchman at the tower. It is a desire to remember where we come from and assure that we better ourselves in every step along our journey. Every chapter is an example, a reason to not be silent and not accept corrupt leaders as something inevitable. ameri’kana is based on faith, faith that every person on this continent carries within themselves the ability to grow, to awaken their consciousness and merits the the same rights. We were accomplices to get ourselves to this point so we will have to be accomplices in the solutions.” This was their follow up released to their critically acclaimed I Am Another You, released May 26, 2017. The quartet has toured with Arcade Fire, Thievery Corporation, Cold War Kids, Los Lobos, Ozomatli, Tennis, Sergio Mendoza of Calexico, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and Hurray for the Riff Raff.]

(2.) The Black Creatures – Wild Echoes / The Black Creatures / September 30, 2019
[Darkpop hip-hop pulling elements from sci-fi to tell an inter-dimensional story. Xavier Martin and Jade Green have made an impression of the KC music community with their videos and songs, live shows in clubs, art galleries, record stores, area music festivals and shows in surrounding areas. They’ve released an EP, an album, and several singles.]

(3.) Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear – 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 occassional cover of a classic track, reinterpreted in their own incredibly beautiful performace 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 recieved critical acclaim.] [Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear played Crossroads Music Fest, Sat., Sept 7,, Crossroads KC, with Shy Boys, Split Lip Rayfield, The Freedom Affair.]

(4.) Calvin Arsenia – L.A. Sessions / Center Cut Records / September 20, 2019
[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. “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 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-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.”]

(5.) Kevin Morby – Oh My God / Dead Oceans / April 29, 2019
[5th release from Kevin Robert Morby born April 2, 1988. follow up to his 2017 release City Music. Kevin learned to play guitar when he was 10. In his teens he formed the band Creepy Aliens. 17-year-old Morby dropped out of Blue Valley Northwest High School, got his GED, and moved from his native Kansas City to Brooklyn in the mid-2000s, supporting himself by working bike delivery and café jobs. He later joined the noise-folk group Woods on bass. While living in Brooklyn, he became close friends and roommates with Cassie Ramone of the punk trio Vivian Girls, and the two formed a side project together called The Babies, who released albums in 2011 and 2012. He began a solo career in 2013 releasing his debut album Harlem River. His 2nd album Still Life was released in 2014. His album Singing Saw was in WMM’s The 116 Best Recordings of 2016. His album City Music was in WMM’s The 118 Best Recordings of 2018]

(6.) Kelly Hunt – Even The Sparrow / Rare Bird Records / May 17, 2019
[The daughter of an opera singer and a saxophonist, Kelly Hunt was raised in Memphis, TN, and grew up performing other people’s works through piano lessons, singing in choirs, and performing theater. “It was a very creative, artistic household,” says Hunt. During her teenage years, influenced by musical inspirations as diverse as Norah Jones, Rachmaninov, and John Denver, she began writing her own songs on the piano as a creative outlet. After being introduced to the banjo in college while studying French and visual arts, Hunt began to develop her own improvised style of playing, combining old-time picking styles with the percussive origins of the instrument. “I’m self-taught, I just started letting the songs dictate what needed to be there,” she says. “I heard a rhythm in a song that I wanted to execute, so I figured out how to do it on the drum head while still being able to articulate certain notes in one motion.” After college, Hunt followed a rambling path that took her through careers in acting, graphic design, traditional French bread making, and medicine, all the while making music as a private endeavor. “I wanted to get serious about a responsible career choice, but music kept bubbling up. I was writing a lot and playing a lot and started to not be satisfied just playing to my walls of my room.” After moving to Kansas City and discovering her mysterious Depression-era tenor banjo, Hunt began recording Even The Sparrow in Kansas City alongside collaborator Stas’ Heaney and engineer Kelly Werts. “It took almost two years to record,” she says, “learning how to let the songs dictate the production.” Having finally come to light, the album displays Hunt’s penchant for masterful storytelling and intriguing arrangement, as researched and complex as they are memorable, punctuated by her articulate melodies and a well-enunciated and creative command of lyrical delivery infused with deft emotional communication. While reminiscent of modern traditionalists such as Gillian Welch–a number of her songs even borrow titles and phrasing from traditional American music (“Back to Dixie,” “Gloryland”)–Even The Sparrow reveals an ineffable quality that hovers beyond the constraints of genre, à la Anais Mitchell and Patty Griffin. In “The Men of Blue & Grey,” what begins as a Reconstruction-era ballad about the repurposing of Civil War glass plate negatives in a greenhouse roof soon becomes a meditation on the hope that growth and life may one day be able to emerge from the ruins of suffering and haunting of violence. “Across The Great Divide” turns an otherwise traditional accounting of spurned love into a philosophical epic of the ethics of forgiveness and freedom, evoking the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard and Walt Whitman.]

(7.) Mess – Learning How To Talk / Mess / March 29, 2019
[Debut full length album from Kansas City based band formed by: Allison Gliesman, Kevin Briody, Tanner Pinkerton & Evan Velasquez. Produced by Patrick Robinson, mixed by Braxton Matlock, and mastered by Troy Glessner (spectre). Mess previously released several singes and heartswithholes EP in 2017.]

(8.) Hembree – House on Fire / OREAD Records / April 26, 2019
[KC based band was formed in November of 2015, with Isaac Flynn on guitar, & lead vocals, Garrett Childers on bass & vocals, Eric Davis on keys & synth, Alex Ward on guitar, and Austin Ward on drums. Hembree is signed to Thirty Tigers of Nashville, TN. The band was founded by original members Isaac Flynn, Garrett Childers, and Eric Davis. Brothers Alex and Austin Ward later joined in 2018. Hembree quickly garnered national attention after their single “Holy Water” was placed in an Apple commercial that aired during Super Bowl LII. The band’s music has been featured in a variety of other national placements, including Monday Night Football (NFL) and Bose. Hembree has notably supported Elvis Costello, Phoenix, Cold War Kids, Vance Joy, JR JR, and Joywave, among others. The band first toured Europe in Fall 2018. In 2018, Hembree signed with Thirty Tigers (The Avett Brothers, Lupe Fiasco) to release their first full-length album House on Fire, released 4/26/2019. In 2019, Hembree performed at Hangout Music Festival. They will also appear on the soundtrack of 13 Reasons Why: Season 3 with the song “Culture”. Hembree was named one of NPR’s Slingshot 2018 Artists to Watch. Rolling Stone named Hembree as one of the thirty best artists at SXSW 2018. “Had It All” debuted on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 on January 19, 2017. Lowe described the song as “absolutely fantastic.” “Holy Water” was featured in Apple’s HomePod “Distortion” TV spot, which ran during Super Bowl LII, the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, and the 2018 Winter Olympics.]

(9.) Julia Othmer – Sound / Frickin Awesome Records / April 12, 2019
[Julia Othmer’s second album, that took 3 years to complete, and was produced with James Lundie, who also married Julia in January of 2016, during the completion of the record. Julia Othmer, is a graduate of Park Hill High School and studied at Columbia University in New York City. She moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to record her 1st full-length album, “Oasis Motel.”]

(10.) The Creepy Jingles – The Creepy Jingles (EP) / High Dive Records / May 3, 2019
[Debut EP Release from The Creepy Jingles: Jocelyn Olivia Nixon on lead vocals, rhythm guitar, & keyboards; Travis McKenzie on lead guitars, Nick Robertson on drums; and Adam York on bass. From High Dive Records website: “The brainchild of singer/ songwriter, Jocelyn Olivia Nixon acts to guide the listener thru a self-actualized Mono-myth of forging identity thru Bizarre arcane cosmic poetry coupled with the wordplay of a wry smile and eccentric wit. Drummer Nick Robertson charges the group forward with a fiery fueled obsidian backbeat. Adam York delivers pulsing bass lines that the compliment the songs and his partner in the rhythm section. Rounding out the band is Guitarist Travis McKenzie who generously spins a holographic spectrum of color that lift the catchy Brit pop melodies that effortlessly dance about the rapidly changing landscapes of New York Garage Rock and 60s/70s folk music. Beware The Creepy Jingles, their siren call is coming from inside the house.”]

(11.) Scott Hrabko & The Rabbits – Smash Hits From A Parallel Universe (EP) / Scott Hrabko / February 14, 2019
[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 calls this release: 4 songs for the new age of anxiety. Scott Hrako & The Rabbits released “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.]

(12.) Cate Le Bon – Reward / Mexican Summer / May 24, 2019
[From the upcoming 5th solo album from Cate Le Bon who was born Cate Timothy on March 4, 1983. She is a musician and producer. She sings in both English and Welsh. She has released four solo albums, three EPs and a number of singles. Le Bon has toured with artists such as St. Vincent, Perfume Genius and John Grant. In 2018, she joined John Cale on stage at The Barbican with the London Contemporary Orchestra. Le Bon was born in Penboyr, Carmarthenshire, Wales, and first gained public attention when she supported Gruff Rhys (of the Super Furry Animals) on his 2007 solo UK tour. She appeared as a guest vocalist on Neon Neon’s 2008 single “I Lust U” from their album Stainless Style. Under her original name she provided backing vocals on Richard James’s debut solo album The Seven Sleepers Den in 2006. She also appeared on his second solo album, We Went Riding, from 2010. Her first official release was a Welsh language EP, Edrych yn Llygaid Ceffyl Benthyg (“Looking in the Eyes of a Borrowed Horse”, similar to the English expression “to look a gift horse in the mouth”), on Peski Records in 2008. She also self-released the double A-side debut single “No One Can Drag Me Down” / “Disappear” (described by Gruff Rhys as “Bobbie Gentry and Nico fight over a Casio keyboard; melody wins!”) on her website. Le Bon worked alongside Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci’s Megan Childs, who contributed violin, and Super Furry Animals and Thrills collaborator John Thomas, who added pedal steel. Her debut album, Me Oh My was released in 2009, followed by Cyrk and the Cyrk II EP in 2012. In January 2013, Le Bon moved to L A to further her career in the US. Her third album, Mug Museum, was released November 2013. It was produced by Noah Georgeson and Josiah Steinbrick in Los Angeles, and featured Stephen Black (bass) & Huw Evans (guitar). She provided guest vocals on the track “Slow Train” from Kevin Morby’s debut album Harlem River. In 2015, Le Bon collaborated with Tim Presley as DRINKS and released the album Hermits on Holiday in August 2015. DRINKS released their second album Hippo Lite in April 2018. Le Bon released her fourth studio album, Crab Day, on April 15, 2016 on Drag City to generally favorable reviews. The album was produced by Josiah Steinbrick and Noah Georgeson, and again featured Stephen Black (bass) & Huw Evans (guitar), w/ Stella Mozgawa (drums). She noted how the collaboration with Presley had made her realise “that I make music because I love to, not because I have to”. On tour she was supported by Black and Evans and on occasion by Steinbrick and Josh Klinghoffer, a five-piece that also performs instrument improvisations under the name BANANA. In January 2017, Le Bon released the four-track EP Rock Pool via Drag City. It includes her version of the track “I Just Want to Be Good” featuring Perfume Genius, which she wrote for Sweet Baboo’s 2015 album The Boombox Ballads. In the same month Leaving Records released Live by BANANA, recorded live during the band’s 2016 tour and Le Bon remixed Eleanor Friedberger’s ‘Are We Good?’ In 2018, Le Bon signed with Brooklyn based record label Mexican Summer (Ariel Pink, Jessica Pratt, Connan Mockasin).]

(13.) Samantha Fish – Kill or Be Kind / Rounder Records – Concord Music / Sept. 20, 2019
[Samantha Fish, born January 30, 1989, is an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist. Samantha Fish grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. Fish started out playing drums, but when she was 15 she switched to the guitar. Fish frequently went to the Knuckleheads Saloon to hear touring Blues artists. After turning 18, she often joined in with the singers and bands who were performing at Knuckleheads. In 2009, Fish recorded and produced Live Bait. The live album attracted the attention of a talent company, who recommended her to Ruf Records. Ruf Records put together a record with Fish and two other female blues artists, Cassie Taylor and Dani Wilde, titled Girls with Guitars. The three guitarists then toured on the Ruf Records 2011 Blues Caravan in the U.S. and Europe. Fish continued touring with the Samantha Fish Band, featuring “Go-Go Ray” Pollard on drums and Chris Alexander on bass, playing in Europe and the United States. In 2011, Fish recorded Runaway with the help of her mentor Mike Zito. The album won the 2012 Blues Music Award for Best New Artist. Fish appeared on Devon Allman’s 2013 album Turquoise in a duet covering the Tom Petty/Stevie Nicks’ song “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”. During the summer of 2013, Fish was called up on stage to play with a skeptical Buddy Guy who was so impressed with her playing on the guitar, he declared with a beaming smile to his audience, “When this kind of shit happens, I’ll play all night!” In 2013, Fish released her second major studio album, Black Wind Howlin’, featuring Mike Zito on guitar, Yonrico Scott on drums, Johnny Sansome on harmonica, and Paul Thorn, vocal duet on one track. The album was recorded in Dockside Studios, in Maurice, Louisiana. Mike Zito’s bandmates from his group Royal Southern Brotherhood, Yonrico Scott and Charlie Wooton, were brought in to assist in the session recordings. Also in 2013, Fish appeared on The Healers Live at Knuckleheads Saloon, producing a CD/DVD collaboration with Jimmy Hall, Reese Wynans, Kate Moss, and Danielle and Kris Schnebelen (sister and brother, formerly of the band Trampled Under Foot). Proceeds benefit the Blue Star Connection. The Healers occasionally perform together as their schedule permits. Fish’s third studio album, Wild Heart was released on July 10, 2015. The new album is more roots rock than her earlier blues rock. Fish wrote five songs on the record. She co-wrote five other songs with Jim McCormick in Nashville, Tennessee. Luther Dickinson produced the album, as well as played various stringed instruments (guitar, bass, mandolin, lap steel) to flesh out the sound. The album was recorded in four studios, Royal Studios and Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, Zebra Ranch in Coldwater, Mississippi, and Blade Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana. Other musicians on the record are Brady Blade (drums), Lightnin’ Malcolm (guitar), Shardé Thomas (drums), Dominic Davis (bass), Shontelle Norman-Beatty (background vocals), and Risse Norman (background vocals). Fish released her fourth solo album, Chills & Fever on March 17, 2017. The album was recorded in Detroit and was recorded with members of the band The Detroit Cobras. Bobby Harlow produced the album. Belle of the West followed in December 2017. Fish released her sixth solo album, Kill or Be Kind, on September 20, 2019, on her new label, Rounder Records. In December Samantha Fish is on a Holiday Tour promoting her new Christmas Album.]

(14.) The Get Up Kids – Problems / Polyvinyl Record Co / May 10, 2019
[KC / Lawrence KS based band with Matt Pryor on vocals & guitars, Jim Suptic on guitar, Rob Pope on bass, James Dewees on keyboards, Ryan Pope on drums. Formed in 1995, the band was a major player in the mid-1990s emo scene, otherwise known as the “second wave” of emo music. As they gained prominence, they began touring with bands such as Green Day and Weezer before becoming headliners themselves, eventually embarking on international tours of Japan and Europe. The Get Up Kids Members Rob Pope is also in the band Spoon; Jim Suptic is in the bands: Blackpool Lights, and Radar State; James Dewees is in the band Reggie and the Full Effect; and Matt Pryor performs often as a solo artists, and in the bands: Radar State, and The New Amsterdams. On their new album Problems—their first full-length in eight years—The Get Up Kids examine everything from life-changing loss to loneliness to the inevitable anxiety of existing in 2019. But by sustaining the essence of their sound—anthemic choruses with sing-along-ready melodies—the band highlights those troubles as a shared experience, giving way to an unbreakable solidarity. And at the heart of Problems is an invaluable element the band’s embodied since their 1997 debut Four Minute Mile: a penetrating lyricism that’s both acutely introspective and indelibly resonant. // The follow-up to 2018’s Kicker EP, Problems came to life in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with the band holing up together for a three-week span. Working with Grammy Award-winning producer Peter Katis, The Get Up Kids took a characteristically riff-driven yet decidedly pop-minded approach to song structure, while also allowing themselves a new sense of creative freedom. “At one point with this band, if we came up with something that felt too much like when we first started out, we would’ve said, ‘No, we can’t do that anymore,’” says Pryor. “These days we’ve learned how to write without roadblocking the ideas that come naturally to us.” // Kicking off with lead single “Satellite,” Problems opens on a stark arrangement of acoustic guitar and stripped-bare vocals, then bursts into brightly crashing rhythms and lyrics revealing the time-bending quality of The Get Up Kids’ songwriting. “I started writing ‘Satellite’ about my son who’s 14 and a total introvert—not antisocial, he just genuinely likes to keep to himself,” says Pryor. “But then somewhere down the line I started singing about myself—about how even when you’re playing a show to a room full of people, I can still feel anxious and isolated.” // Throughout Problems, The Get Up Kids again prove themselves attuned to the nuance of highly specific emotions, and ultimately validate the messiest and most nebulous of feelings. On the joyfully swinging, piano-heavy “The Problem Is Me,” for instance, the band explores the notion of embracing your own romantic dysfunction, while “Salina” captures a small moment of melancholy with sweeping intensity and sprawling guitar work. Later, on “Your Ghost Is Gone,” The Get Up Kids deliver a gently devastating piano ballad sparked from an instrumental piece Dewees wrote soon after his mother’s death. // Through the years, The Get Up Kids have purposely pushed themselves toward previously unexplored songwriting material. “I’m 41 now, I could never write a song like when I was 19—all those ‘I miss my girlfriend’ kind of songs,” Suptic says. “It’s always important to us to write about wherever we are right now.” As shown on Problems, the resulting output both preserves the beloved spirit of The Get Up Kids and creates an entirely new context for their music. “A big part of the reason why we started writing new songs in the first place is that we have things we want to say about this moment in time,” says Pryor. “We’re still so connected to our past and where this all came from—it’s definitely a celebration of the fact that we still get to do this.” ]

(15.) Black Belt Eagle Scout – At the Party With My Brown Friends / Saddle Creek / August 23, 2019
[Released in September of 2018, Mother of My Children was the debut album from Black Belt Eagle Scout, the recording project of Katherine Paul. Heralded as a favorite new musician of 2018 by the likes of NPR Music, Stereogum, and Paste, the album was also named as a “Best Rock Album of 2018” by Pitchfork, and garnered further end-of-year praise from FADER, Under The Radar and more. // Arriving just a year after that debut record, At the Party With My Brown Friends is a brand new full-length recording from Black Belt Eagle Scout. Where that first record was a snapshot of loss and landscape and of KP’s standing as a radical indigenous queer feminist, this new chapter finds its power in love, desire and friendship. // At the Party With My Brown Friends is a profound and understated forward step. The squalling guitar anthems that shaped its predecessor are replaced by delicate vocals and soft keys, sentiments spoken and unspoken, presenting something shadowy and unsettling; a stirring of the waters. // The end result presents a captivating about-face that redefines KP’s beautifully singular artistic vision. At the Party With My Brown Friends is introduced in greater detail here via a new statement by the artist. // ARTIST’S STATEMENT: My name is Katherine Paul and I am Black Belt Eagle Scout. // I grew up on the Swinomish Indian Reservation in NW Washington state, learning to play piano, guitar and drums in my adolescent years. The very first form of music that I can remember experiencing was the sound of my dad singing native chants to coo me to sleep as a baby. I grew up around powwows and the songs my grandfather and grandmother sang with my family in their drum group. This is what shapes how I create music: with passion and from the heart. // After the release of Mother of My Children, I felt awake and desperately wanted to put new music out into the world. I had no real intent behind At the Party With My Brown Friends except creating songs around what was going on in my life. In the past few years, the reciprocal love I experienced within friendships is what has been keeping me going. A lot of what is in this album deals with love, desire and friendship. // The lead single, “At the Party,” starts off with a quintessential BBES guitar lick, heading into booming and abundant drums and vocals. The lines ‘How is it real? We will always sing’ came out of me one evening when I was crafting the song in my bedroom. Within my conscious self, there is always a sense of questioning the legitimacy of the world when you grow up on an Indian reservation. We are all at the party (the world), trying to navigate ourselves within a good or bad situation. I happen to be at the party with my brown friends- Indigenous, Black, POC who always have my back while we walk throughout this event called life. // I started writing “My Heart Dreams” the summer after I initially put out MOMC, writing the guitar chords in a friend’s apartment on Ohlone land. I had been in a transitional part of my life, leaving one love and wanting to find another so much so that I felt like my heart was dreaming about it along with my brain at night. I have an obsession with dreams, mainly because I cannot remember most of mine and often times that leaves me frustrated not knowing that part of myself. I would wake up and be overcome with anxiety about not knowing what had gone down in my brain so much so that I started feeling like my heart dreamt more than my mind, thus becoming the line, my heart dreams. // I wrote “Going To The Beach With Haley” one day when I was out on a coastal trip with my friend Haley Heynderickx. We loaded up her car with our blankets and instruments and drove straight to a beach where we sat and listened to the waves and young families with their babies on the beach. I had brought my mini casio keyboard that had an array of beats I used when writing songs. The beat that’s on the song just stuck there along with the main guitar part. Initially written on an old acoustic guitar my mom bought me, the song really transformed in the studio where I added drums and other melodies to create the song. // Throughout the course of my writing and playing around this record, most of these songs deal with relationships I have either with loved ones or friends. I think it low key has to do with my anthropology degree, but also the fact that writing and playing guitar in my bedroom just makes everything feel better for me. For the longest time, I wanted to convey my feelings around coming out to my family. It had been a good experience for me and while I know it is not always that way when kids decide to tell their family, I think that we can open our hearts more for that. I would watch youtube videos of moms being proud of their kids surrounding their sexuality and gender identity and I really wanted to raise my voice to say, ‘my family too!’ What started with trying to sound so literal in this song ended up turning into a song about how much I love my mom and how our connection is eternal. “You’re Me and I’m You” is about being one with your mother, since we all were a part of their bodies at one point. It’s me trying to explore who she is and who I am with my love for people.]

(16.) Short Round Stringband – Ain’t No Part of Nothin’ / Short Round Stringband / July 19, 2019
[On April 24, 2019 Wednesday MidDay Medley was the first to play the debut single from this new collection of songs written by Bill Monroe and performed by this new ensemble of veteran musicians. The debut album from the pan-Missouri band with a refreshing approach to old time music, Short Round Stringband is the coming together of two musical couples and a bassist with Kansas roots. The band members are Kelly Wells and Ryan Spearman (The Aching Hearts, St. Louis), Betse Ellis and Clarke Wyatt (Betse & Clarke, Kansas City), and Chris DeVictor (Konza Swamp and more). With deep connections to old-time, country and Ozark tunes and songs, Short Round Stringband takes you on a moving journey through the sounds and stories of the American experience.]

(17.) The Highwomen – The Highwomen / Elektra / September 6, 2019
[The Highwomen is a country music group composed of Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires, formed in 2019. The group’s self-titled debut album was released on September 6, 2019, by Elektra Records and was produced by Dave Cobb. In 2016, when Shires was finishing her record, My Piece of Land, in music producer Dave Cobb’s studio, Shires had an idea to create a girl country supergroup in homage to the legendary Highwaymen country supergroup (consisting of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson). At the same time, the lack of representation of women artists on country music radio and at country music festivals had been publicly discussed by many, influenced by the Me Too movement and journalists like Marissa Moss. While on tour in her van, while listening to country radio, Shires kept a running list of artists and noticed that there were few women. When she called to request they play more women artists, she was directed to a Facebook page lottery system. Cobb recommended Shires call Carlile, whom she didn’t know. Carlile thought it would be fun, and would be an interesting creative project. The Highwomen project was widely hinted at by Carlile, Morris and Shires before it was officially announced on April 6, 2019. With the name paying homage to the legendary Highwaymen country supergroup, the Highwomen were originally intended to leave the fourth spot in their line-up vacant to allow other female collaborators to join them, with Chely Wright, Courtney Marie Andrews, Margo Price, Janelle Monae and Sheryl Crow mentioned as potential guests. The band, who jokingly refer to the collaboration as a pirate ship experience, said that they see the project as an incubator project that highlights mentorship and support of fellow women artists. Maren hadn’t worked with Cobb before, and remarked on how much she liked tracking live. The band recorded live vocals, live band, harmonies in unison, where the musicians were recording together live in an organic environment at historic RCA Studio A, which Cobb now owns. As part of the experience, some of the members got matching Highwomen tattoos. The group made their live debut on April 1, 2019 at Loretta Lynn’s 87th birthday concert held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. There, Natalie Hemby was officially revealed as the final member and the quartet performed “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels”. Their debut single, “Redesigning Women”, and its associated music video featuring female artists including Tanya Tucker, Cam, Lauren Alaina, Cassadee Pope and Wynonna Judd was released on 19 July 2019, with their self-titled debut album (set for release on September 6) becoming available for pre-order on the same day. The song was promoted by country singer Dierks Bentley who released a comedic reading of the lyrics to his YouTube Channel which received praise from Carlile and Morris. Their second single, “Crowded Table”, written by band member Hemby and Lori McKenna, was released on July 26, 2019. In July 2019, the Highwomen performed their first ever full live set at the 60th annual Newport Folk Festival, previewing songs from their upcoming album including “If She Ever Leaves Me”, written by Shires, her husband Jason Isbell and Chris Thompkins. With Carlile on lead vocals, Isbell described it as “the first gay country song” which elicited applause from the audience. Other songs performed included “My Only Child”, an ode to “suburban moms” performed by Hemby who wrote the track with Shires and Miranda Lambert, “Loose Change”, a nod to 70s country written by Morris, Daniel Layus of Augustana, and Maggie Chapman, featuring Morris on lead vocals and “Cocktail and a Song” which was written solely by Shires in honor of her father. Carlile later invited the rest of the Highwomen to join her during her headlining set where, as they originally intended, the group performed alongside other female artists including Amy Ray, Courtney Marie Andrews, Dolly Parton, Jade Bird, Judy Collins, Linda Perry, Lucy Dacus, Our Native Daughters, Sheryl Crow, The First Ladies of Bluegrass, and Yola Carter. Shires said the plan was always to debut their music at Newport with Dolly Parton. The band wore custom suits by Manuel. Their cover of “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac from the soundtrack of the movie The Kitchen debuted during the film’s first trailer and was officially released on August 2, 2019. The title track of their self-titled debut album was released on August 13, 2019. Written by Carlile and Shires with Jimmy Webb, the original writer of “Highwayman”, the track that originally inspired the Highwomen’s formation, it tells the story of various women throughout history and features guest vocals from British country soul singer Yola Carter and backing vocals from Sheryl Crow. The song is a classic answer song. The band recorded 15 songs, but 12 tracks made the album. Songwriters included the Jimmy Webb, Rodney Clawson, Maggie Chapman, Lori McKenna, Jason Isbell, Peter Levin, Miranda Lambert, Ray LaMontagne, among others. Many songs flip gender roles, with additions of characters like refugee, preacher, Freedom Rider, and a healer, compared to the characters drawn by the Highwaymen songs.]

(18.) Helado Negro – This Is How You Smile / RVNG Intl. / March 8, 2019
[6th album from Roberto Carlos Lange, better known by his stage name Helado Negro, is an American musician. He was formerly signed to Asthmatic Kitty Records from 2009 to 2016. Helado is now currently signed to and released his latest album through RVNG Intl., a Brooklyn-based music institution. Helado grew up in Miami, Florida where he spent his teenage years searching for his identity in the cultural melting pot of south Florida. He immersed himself in the hip-hop and electronic music scenes, where he learned to be an artist by playing out shows to small audiences. Helado released his first full-length album in 2009 titled Awe Owe. In 2010, Helado released an EP titled Pasajero. Helado released his second full-length album in 2011 titled Canta Lechuza. In 2012, Helado released the first of a three part EP, titled Island Universe Story – One. Helado released his third full-length album in 2013 titled Invisible Life. Helado released the second Island Universe Story EP in 2013. In 2014, Helado released his fourth full-length album titled Double Youth. The third EP in Helado’s three-part Island Universe Story series was released in 2014. In 2015, Helado released the single “Young, Latin and Proud” along with an animated-visual and lyric video. Lange describes the song as “It was as if I was singing my 6-year-old self a lullaby… It’s about feeling a sense of pride and self-confidence, understanding that you’re born into something and it’s alright to feel good about it. Stereotypes and contradictions are built into identity and I think those are a strong current in both Latino and black identity in the U.S. today.” In 2016, Helado released his fifth full-length album titled Private Energy.]

(19.) Dead Voices – Commoners / Dead Voices / February 4, 2019
[The follow up to their 2013 debut EP. Kansas City Super-Group, formed in September of 2010, by David Regnier on lead vocals, Jason Beers on bass, Matt Richey on drums, Michael Stover on lap steel and other instruments, and Marco Pascolini on guitar.]

(20.) The Sluts – Break Their Heart (EP) / The Sluts / February 12, 2019
[New 6 song EP from the Lawrence based band The Sluts formed by Ryan Wise & Kristoffer Dover in 2011. Produced recorded, mixed, and mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording and Mastering Studios, KCMO. The Sluts released their debut EP Virile on November 14, 2013. The released The Loser EP on July 8, 2014. They released their 11-song full length album The Sluts on June 17, 2015. The Sluts released their EP Only One on May 25, 2017. All were recorded at Element Recording. Info at http://www.thesluts.bandcamp.com]

(21.) Hipshot Killer – All This Time is Ours / Hipshot Killer / March 20, 2019
[KC based 3-piece power punk band formed in the fall of 2008. The current line up consists of: Mike Alexander (Revolvers, Architects, John Velge and The Prodigal Sons, The Starhaven Rounders), on guitar & vocals, Chris Wagner (100 Years War, Jackie Carrol, John Velge and The Prodigal Sons) on bass & vocals, legendary drummer Jon “Buddy” Paul, who plays in (The Big Iron, The Revolvers.) All This Time is Ours was Mastered at Weights and Measures studio by Duane Trower. All songs written by Mike Alexander. The band released their debut record Hipshot Killer, April 29, 2011. The band released their second album They Will Try To Kill Us All on January 16, 2016. It was number 7 in Wednesday MidDay Medley’s 116 Best Recordings of 2016. Hipshot Killer also released a single on Too Much Rock on October 21, 2016 . Mike Alexander has been a tireless organizer of the KC area punk scene and has helped to produce multiple years of the Center of the City Fest. Mike also helped to create the 8-song tribute recording, I’ll Repay You: A Benefit for John Fackler – featuring the songs of John Fackler and Jettison. More info at http://www.hipshotkiller.com]

(22.) Deerhunter – Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared? / 4AD / Jan. 18, 2019
[8th studio album by the American indie rock band Deerhunter. The album was co-produced by singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon, Ben H. Allen (who had previously worked with the band on Halcyon Digest and Fading Frontier), Ben Etter (who worked as a studio assistant on Fading Frontier) and the band itself. The first single, “Death in Midsummer”, was released on October 30, 2018. The same day, a world tour in support of the album was announced, starting in November 4, 2018. The second single from the album, “Element”, was released on December 6, 2018. The album leaked on December 12, 2018. Deerhunter is an American rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 2001. The band consists of Bradford Cox (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Moses Archuleta (drums, electronics, sound treatments), Lockett Pundt (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Josh McKay (bass) and Javier Morales (keyboards, synthesizers, alto saxophone). Founded by Cox and Archuleta, Deerhunter’s first stable line-up included guitarist Colin Mee and bass guitarist Justin Bosworth.]

(23.) J.S. Ondara – Tales of America / Verve / February 1, 2019
[27 year old J.S. Ondara is a Kenyan singer-songwriter whose debut album, Tales of America, was released on February 15, 2019 via Verve Label Group. J.S. Ondara was born in August 1992 in Nairobi, Kenya. As a child, he wrote poems and stories as well as songs despite not having an instrument to play them on because his family couldn’t afford one. He was inspired by Radiohead, Nirvana, Death Cab For Cutie, Jeff Buckley, Pearl Jam, Guns N’ Roses, and Bob Dylan. He grew up listening to rock songs on his older sisters’ battery-powered radio. Having discovered The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan following a dispute with a friend over whether Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door was a Guns N’ Roses song, Ondara resolved to travel to the United States to pursue a career in music. In February 2013, after winning in the green card lottery, he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota at the age of 20. He taught himself to play guitar and perform during open mic nights. Eventually, he decided to study music therapy in college, but dropped out of school to return to playing small shows at coffee houses after attending a concert. After moving to Minnesota, Ondara tried his hand at making music and performing in small venues. His big break came when Minneapolis radio station KCMP 89.3 The Current played one of his songs on air by pulling audio from his YouTube channel, where he had been uploading covers of his favorite songs. At the time, he was going by the name Jay Smart. Ondara’s debut album, Tales of America, was released in February 2019 by Verve Label Group. Despite only 11 tracks making the final tracklist, Ondara wrote more than 100 songs for the album, all based on an immigrant’s life in America. The album was produced by Mike Viola of the Candy Butchers. In support of the album, Ondara embarked on his first headlining tour in March 2019. After the release of the album, Ondara debuted on Billboard’s Emerging Artist chart at No. 37 in March 2019. The album also landed on the Billboard Heatseekers Album, Americana/Folk Album Sales, and Rock Album Sales charts. He was nominated for Best Emerging Act at the 2019 Americana Music Honors & Awards. Ondara cites Bob Dylan as his musical hero, which is why he chose to live in Minnesota and why he wears his signature fedora. He has toured with the Milk Carton Kids, Lindsey Buckingham and in 2019, he opened for select dates on tour with Neil Young.]

(24.) Mike McCoy’s Trompe-l’œil – Eyein’ Lies / Mike McCoy / July 19, 2019
[Formed in Austin, Texas in August 2015, members include: Andrew Duplantis, Jacob Schulze, Travis Garaffa, David Garrett, and Mike McCoy. Kansas native and Austin resident Mike McCoy is a man for all seasons. A gifted singer, composer, songwriter, social commentator and conceptual artist from the heartland, McCoy has been making music for more than 30 years, incorporating a whiplash array of styles and genres from country-roots to punk to performance art and power pop. All overlap in McCoy’s world. Mike founded the KC power-pop band Cher UK (Cargo/FistPuppet) & (Red Decibel/Columbia Records) in the mid 1990s and has fronted other quirky conceptual bands such as the Black Rabbits of Lawrence, Kansas, and two Austin critics’ darlings, the American People and the Service Industry. Mike is also a prolific solo artist . A religion studies and art-history graduate of TCU, fund-raising researcher at Yale, a carpenter/designer in Austin, an online “word contortionist” and a former museum administrator in KC, McCoy’s truest calling is the crafting of songs. He’s a hayseed intellectual-philosopher whose compositions strike the right balance of plaintive and high-brow, sardonic and humble. McCoy brings a singular, poet’s sensibility to the music equation. He writes about a wonderful waitress in a rundown town who has the power to make or break your stay (“if you treat her well, you might get what you want…”), about an immigrant woman whose dreams of America lead her to a lonesome life as a domestic (“feather duster I believe her, no one sees the way I see her…”), about American apathy and how winter is a submarine (“winter is a submarine — I lay inside and I no longer dream…”). In most of McCoy’s songs, there is something deeply wistful, despite the freighted narratives and their dizzying wordplay. He’s a serious guy and he writes about serious stuff. Yet in the lyrics and in the spaces between words and melody, you can almost hear that lone whistle blow in the dark of a heartlands night; you hear a style of writing that combines political commentary and snarky populism with an inextinguishable belief that somehow, with the right blend of gumption and fortitude, we humans might just pull off something good. He’s equal parts punk-rock-Americana — a strange brew of Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, John Mellencamp, Ramones and Burl Ives. But no matter in what incarnation you encounter Mike McCoy, you’ll find he’s driven by the same basic themes: ideas and ideals of humanity, principles and hopes, outrage and indignation, absurdism and dadaism, puns and poetry and parody, with a large dose of red-white-and-blue wishful thinking.]

(25.) Lomelda – M for Empathy / Double Double Whammy / March 1, 2019
[Lomelda is the stage name of musician Hannah Read. According to Read, Lomelda is a made up word that means “echo of the stars”. Hannah Read was raised in Silsbee, Texas. She began her music career playing in bands with her brother as well as her high school friends. Read’s first full-length album, Forever, was released in 2015. In 2017, Read released her second full-length album, Thx, with the independent record label Double Double Whammy. The album was co-produced with the assistance of Read’s brother, Tommy. It was primarily written over a few months while Read was sleeping in her car.]

(26.) Solange – When I Get Home / Columbia Records / March 1, 2019
[4th studio album from singer and songwriter Solange, and follow up to her breakthrough record, A Seat at the Table released on September 30, 2016,. Following the release of her second studio album Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams (2008), Knowles began work on her third studio album, during which she suffered a “breakdown” due to the amount of time and emotion she was putting into the recording process. While recording the album Knowles released an EP entitled True (2012) and launched her own record label named Saint Records. A Seat at the Table became Solange’s first number-one album on the Billboard 200.]

(27.) GAV7D – Thanks For Everything Punkfunkpolka / GAV7D / May 31, 2019
[Johnny Hamil on bass, Clarke Wyatt on keyboards, Mikal Shapiro on guitars & vocals, Kyle Dahlquist on accordions & theremins & vocals, Charles “Critter” Sims on drums, and Chad Meise on Hendrix inspired guitars. Written & arranged by Johnny Hamil. This is the 3rd release in the GAV7D series. The debut, “Thanks For Everything” was released June 21, 2015. The double album, “Thanks For Everything – Cartoonoirjazz” was released June 1, 2016. Johnny Hamil told us that he recently finished the mixing for 4th GAV7D “Thanks for Everything – exoticamiddleasternfreejazz,” to be released next year. Johnny said that it “reminded me that the outside listener doesn’t hear the whole project like I do, or the concert goer does.” He added “I really feel like it’s my major work of my lifetime, but even better, it tells the story of the KaC music community, which I’m so proud of.” KC based musician, composer, and teacher Johnny Hamil plays in the band Pamper The Madman. Johnny will be in the studio from Dec. 29 through Jan. 2 recording the new Pamper The Madman album. Johnny Hamil also plays bass for Mikal Shapiro, and Julia Othmer, and can be heard on the recordings of many KC and Lawrence based artists including Stephonne Singelton. Johnny Hamil collaborates with jazz combos, theatre productions, and is also known for his work with The Malachy Papers. As a teacher of the bass, Johnny Hamil was recently featured on Queer Eye on Netflix. Johnny is a founding member of Mr. Marco’s V7, a band that has been reinvented with each new release, and changed and evolved with different line-ups. Known for experimental, instrumental music, Johnny told us that the music he composed for the band came to him in his dreams. In 2011 the bassist noticed something revolutionary for his creative process when his dream compositions included lyrics for the first time This set him on a new path to create GAV7D, which is not Mr. Marco’s V7 proper, but members from throughout the long history of the the band. The concept was to collaborate a vocal version of the compositions with friends and then have various lineups of the V7 family interpret the material in different ways, CartoonNoirJazz, PunkFunkPolka, and FreeeExoticaMiddleEastern. GAV7D premiered at the Folk Alliance International. Chad Meise is a master of sound and the studio and stage producing and engineering records for Mr. Marco’s V7, Hearts of Darkness, Expassionate, Rex Hobart, MIke Dillon, The Gaslights, Atlantic Fadeout, and The Country Duo.]

(28.) Bon Iver – i,i / Jagjaguwar Records / August 9, 2019
[Bon Iver is an American indie folk band founded in 2006 by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. Vernon released Bon Iver’s debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, independently in July 2007. The majority of that album was recorded while Vernon spent three months isolated in a cabin in northwestern Wisconsin. The band later won in 2012 the Grammy awards for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album for their album Bon Iver, Bon Iver. They released their third album 22, A Million to critical acclaim in 2016.]

(29.) FKA Twigs – MAGDALENE / Young Turks Recordings / November 8, 2019
[Tahliah Debrett Barnett was born on January 16, 1988. She is known professionally as FKA Twigs. She is a British singer and songwriter, raised in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. She became a backup dancer after moving to South London when she was 17 years old. She made her musical debut with the extended plays EP1 (2012) and EP2 (2013). Her debut studio album, LP1, was released in August 2014 to critical acclaim, peaking at number 16 on the UK Albums Chart and number 30 on the US Billboard 200. It was later nominated for the 2014 Mercury Prize. She released the M3LL155X EP in 2015 to further critical praise, as well as her second studio album Magdalene four years later. Her work has been described as “genre-bending”, drawing on various genres including electronic music, trip hop, R&B, and avant-garde. Her work has been compared to the work of Tricky as well as Kate Bush, Janet Jackson, The xx, and Massive Attack.]

(30.) Mavis Staples – We Get By / Anti / May 10, 2019
[14th studio solo album from rhythm & blues and gospel singer, actress and civil rights activist, born in Chicago, Illinois on July 10, 1939. The album’s cover features the photograph “Outside Looking In” by Gordon Parks from his 1956 photo essay The Restraints: Open and Hidden. The album was produced and written by Ben Harper. Staples & Harper had previously collaborated on “Love and Trust”, a song from Staples’ 2016 album, Livin’ on a High Note. In a statement, Staples said, “These songs are delivering such a strong message. We truly need to make a change if we want this world to be better.” Mavis Staples has recorded and performed with her family’s band The Staple Singers. She began her career with her family group in 1950. Initially singing locally at churches, appearing on a weekly radio show, the Staples scored a hit in 1956 with “Uncloudy Day” for the Vee-Jay label. When Mavis graduated from what is now Paul Robeson High School in 1957, The Staple Singers took their music on the road. Led by family patriarch Roebuck “Pops” Staples on guitar and including the voices of Mavis and her siblings Cleotha, Yvonne, and Purvis, the Staples were called “God’s Greatest Hitmakers.” With Mavis’ voice and Pops’ songs, singing, and guitar playing, the Staples evolved from enormously popular gospel singers (with recordings on United and Riverside as well as Vee-Jay) to become the most spectacular and influential spirituality-based group in America. By the mid-1960s The Staple Singers, inspired by Pops’ close friendship with Martin Luther King, Jr., became the spiritual and musical voices of the civil rights movement. They covered contemporary pop hits with positive messages, including Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” and a version of Stephen Stills’ “For What It’s Worth.” Staples was briefly married to Spencer Leak in 1964; they divorced when Staples would not end her music career to stay home. She has no children. In the 2015 documentary Mavis! she reveals that Bob Dylan once proposed to her, and she turned him down.]

(31.) The Sextet – Among Friends / ARC / September 15 , 2019
[The title of the band’s third release refers to the collaboration of nine other musicians & artists who joined the six members of The Sextet: Joe Tesoro on soprano sax, Max Levy on tenor sax, Trevor Turla on trombone, Forrest Fowler on guitar, Nik Douglas on drums, and Robert Castillo on bass, in the studio to create this new 15 track release. Engineered and Mixed by J Ashley Miller. Produced by J Ashley Miller, Robert Castillo, & The Sextet. Mastered by Duane Trower @ Weights and Measures Soundlab. Recorded Jan. 17,18, & Feb. 1, 2019 @ The Infoaming Vertex. Cover Image: “Circle and Square” by Wassily Kandinsky 1943]

(32.) Yes You Are – Here’s To The Great Unknowns / Yes You Are / November 15, 2019
[Kianna Alarid on vocals, Jared White on rhythm guitar, Jacob Temeyer on guitars & keyboards, and Willie Jordan on bass. “We play black pop.” says Kianna Alarid, Yes You Are’s intense front woman, “It implies that there might be shadows lurking, even in the shiny places.” Listening to their upcoming album, it IS essentially pop, but they redefine the genre with each and every song. From gospel choirs to guitar-heavy rock to synth-covered dance rhythms, the mainstay (and mainstream friendly) sing-along hooks are what binds all of their work together. Alarid cut her teeth in the critically-acclaimed indie band Tilly and the Wall, touring through the mid to late aughts with bands such as She and Him, Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley, Of Montreal and CSS, playing venues around the world and hitting major festivals like Coachella, Japan’s Summersonic, Iceland Airwaves, Reading, Leeds, Scotland’s T In The Park and Australia’s Splendor In The Grass as well as performing on Late Night with David Letterman and Sesame Street. You’ve probably already heard Yes You Are, as their first single debuted on Pepsi’s Superbowl 51 commercial, as has played over 15,000 times since, all over the world. The song was also featured in the hit movie Bad Moms, as well as FX’s Tyrant and MTV’s Scream. Yes You Are has shared the stage with the likes of K. Flay, Moon Taxi, Marion Hill, Lucius and Neon Trees.]

(33.) Other Americans – OA2 (EP) / AWAL Records / October 19, 2019
[New EP follow up to the band’s debut self-titled EP from June 29, 2018. Julie Berndsen on lead vocals, Adam Phillips on drums, Brandon Phillips on guitar, Michelle Bacon on bass. Produced by Brandon Phillips. Engineered by Joel Nanos. Recorded at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City. All remixes by Mensa Deathsquad. Hailing from the musical hotbeds of Kansas City, MO, and Lawrence, KS, the electro-alternative OTHER AMERICANS are comprised of members of such regional luminaries as The Architects, Latenight Callers, The Philistines, Radar State and Brandon Phillips and The Condition. Other Americans is a virtual Midwestern supergroup. The cohorts first crossed paths in when a mutual friend and matchmaker introduced Brandon Phillips to vocalist Julie Berndsen “We were all looking for something new to do musically, recalls Brandon. “The way I remember it, a mutual friend (KC music producer Joel Nanos) told me that Julie was looking to start something new and I sent her a note about it. We had tacos to see if we liked each other.”]

(34.) Violet and The Undercurrents – The Captain / Violet Vonder Haar / March 1, 2019
[Columbia, Missouri based 4-piece band made up of Violet Vonder Haar on lead vocals & guitar; Linda Bott on bass guitar; Phylshawn Johnson on drums, and Lizzy Weiland on lead guitar. The quartet is anchored by the intrepid songwriting of Violet Vonder Haar and enriched by the creative energy of her musical counterparts. Raised in a small town at the edge of the Missouri River and nurtured by a thriving folk music-centered community, Vonder Haar started honing her craft as a songwriter, performer and vocalist at an early age. She was inspired by her father, a riverboat captain who introduced her to the music of folk legends and encouraged her journey as an artist. More information at: http://www.violetandtheundercurrents.com]

(35.) Our Native Daughters (Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, Amythyst Kiah & Allison Russell) – Songs of Our Native Daughters / Smithsonian Folkways Recordings / February 22, 2019
[Our native Daughters is: Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, Amythyst Kiah & Allison Russell (of Birds of Chicago). This song features all of their voices. Songs of Our Native Daughters’ gathers together kindred musicians in song and sisterhood to communicate with their forebears. Drawing on and reclaiming early minstrelsy and banjo music, these musicians reclaim, recast, and spotlight the often unheard and untold history of their ancestors, whose stories remain vital and alive today. The material on ‘Songs of Our Native Daughters’ — written and sung in various combinations — is inspired by New World slave narratives, discrimination and how it has shaped our American experience, as well as musicians such as Haitian troubadour Althiery Dorval and Mississippi Hill Country string player Sid Hemphill, and more. Rhiannon Giddens is the co-founder of the Grammy Award-winning string band Carolina Chocolate Drops, was awarded a 2017 MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship and won the 2016 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo. She has performed for President Barack Obama, appeared on The Late Show, Austin City Limits, CBS Sunday Morning, and has played a recurring role on the television drama Nashville in the role of Hallie Jordan, a young social worker with “the voice of an angel.” For her project with Our Native Daughters, Giddens brought together three other black female roots artists. “Gathering a group of fellow black female artists who had and have a lot to say, made it both highly collaborative and deeply personal to me,” she explains. “It felt like there were things we had been waiting to say our whole lives in our art; and to be able to say them in the presence of our sisters-in-song was sweet, indeed.” Their debut recording, Songs of Our Native Daughters, is a stunning thirteen-track album. Produced by Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell. Engineered and mixed by Dirk Powell. Recorded at Cypress House Studio, Breaux Bridge, LA. Mastered by Emily Lazar at The Lodge NY. Assisted by Chris Allgood. Annotated by Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Leyla McCalla, Allison Russell, and Dirk Powell.]

(36.) Hadiza. – Shadow Weight / Hadiza. / November 22, 2019
[Hadiza released her Ep “Gone” on December 29, 2018 with Madi Mclaughlin on bass & guitar, JL Bolinger on drums, and Hadiza Sa-Aadu on keyboards & vocals. Recording & Engineering: JL Bolinger & Madi Mclaughlin. Mixing & Mastering: Madi Mclaughlin. Hadiza. is a singer-songwriter who is based in Kansas City. Previously based in her hometown of Iowa City, she has spent the past year slowly but surely carving out her place in the Kansas City scene both as a solo performer (as Hadiza.) and as lead vocalist and songwriter of experimental electronic group Collidescope. Blessed to have had parents who are very much NOT students of music, but recognized the importance of music education, Hadiza spent her childhood and adolescence in part as a student of piano. Vocally, Hadiza takes her cues from American artists including Fiona Apple, Tracey Chapman, and Billie Holiday and African artists including Angelique Kidjo,. Her sound/genre is best described as an eclectic blend of blues, soul, folk, jazz and classical. Her songwriting is a process of release and acceptance of life events navigating an often brutal bleak and harsh world and is a form of therapy. If you don’t relate to the content, you just don’t relate. Oh well. The most amazing experience however is when a stranger in the audience connects with a song in their own way and is courageous enough to share that with her. Aside from the therapeutic aspect of creating music, this is why she continues to write and perform.]

(37.) Florist – Emily Alone / Double Double Whammy / July 26, 2019
[Florist is an American indie pop band from Brooklyn, New Yorkformed in 2013 with the release of a six-track EP titled We Have Been This Way Forever. Florist recorded another six-song EP, titled 6 days of songs, in May 2014, after lead vocalist Emily Sprague was severely injured in a hit-and-run while riding her bicycle. In October 2015, Florist released another EP titled Holdly on Double Double Whammy. Also in 2015, the band was listed on Stereogum’s “50 Best New Bands Of 2015” list. The band was also featured as one of Stereogum’s “Band To Watch” in 2015. In January 2016, Florist released their debut studio album titled The Birds Outside Sang on Double Double Whammy. The album was listed at number 34 on Noisey’s “100 Best Albums of 2016” list. Band members include: Emily Sprague, Rick Spataro, Jonnie Baker, and Felix Walworth. Sprague is an avid modular synthesizer collector and has made a number of YouTube videos showcasing her equipment. She self-released her debut solo album Water Memory, an ambient album composed with these instruments, in December 2017 with a follow-up album “Mount Vision” released in September 2018. In 2019, Beyonce used an instrumental portion of Florist track “Thank You” from their 2016 release The Birds Outside Sang in her Netflix concert movie Homecoming. Florist’s latest album, Emily Alone, was released was granted “Best New Music” by Pitchfork.]

(38.) LK Ultra – Demos For Bengal (EP) / LK Ultra / March 19, 2019
[Lawrence, Kansas based 4-piece indigenous-fronted, queer music, straight from the birthplace of emo. Formed by Lily Pryor, Inez Robinson, Aoife Conway, and August Hyde. Their EP release was mixed and recorded by Mitchell Hewlett in The Coop.]

(39.) Radkey – No Strange Cats…P.A.W./ The Century Family / February 22, 2019
[This new 7 song EP is sessetially 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. 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 to talk about their performance at recordBar with Quixotic Performers, as headliners for the 14th Annual Crossroads Music Fest. Radkey was formed in 2010 in St. Joseph, where the brothers were raised. The family moved to Kansas City several years ago. 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 recently were part of a MasterCard advertising campaign on digital billboards in NYC along with a national televison commercial that aired during the Grammy Awards that brought the band to the attention of Jack White who asked the band to tour with him. After Crossroads Music Fest the band went back on the road playing shows with The Damned throughout the United States. In December they went back into the studio to record songs for this release with producer Bill Stevenson of the California punk rock group Descendents. In early 2019 they played shows in Amsterdam and Stockholm. Last year the nad released “Basement” , “St. Elwood” “Rock & Roll Homeschool” as well as several other singles.]

(40.) Kill Vargas – Laugh It Off / Kill Vargas / April 2, 2019
[Wichita, Kansas based bandwith Logan Bush on drums, Austin Engler on bass, Griffin Bush on guitar & vocals, and Trent Gaddie on guitar]

(41.) Nan Turner – For Champs and Losers, Version 2 (EP) / Nan Turner / July 12, 2019
[All songs by Nan Turner. 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. Nan Turner is one half of the critically acclaimed band Schwervon! Nan has been called the “Lucy Ricardo of Indie Rock.” She also performs as Nan & The One Night Stands. Nan wrote on Facebook about her new EP: “This whole thing started out as an experiment, but I have to say I’m proud as hell with how it turned out. I was just going to record one or maybe two songs. HA HA Welcome to my FIVE SONGER!!! Some songs were written out of heartbreak and some just made me laugh. Just doing this was transformative…stuff was moving around, it was cathartic. I allowed myself to “write bad songs”. I highly recommend doing that because there’s bound to be a gold nugget somewhere in the bunch if you give yourself permission. Me and my guitar got reacquainted. We were “dancing in the dark.” I’ve never quoted Bruce Springsteen before,. but also I didn’t know I was going to record this EP, so you know. I’m rolling with shit. I had the luxury of working with Chase Horseman every week or two…giving myself ample time to add/rework stuff. I took the slow road and enjoyed the process. Chase has great ears and is uber talented in his own right. He & Ian Dobyns (Dreamgirl, Chase The Horseman) were my rhythm section on a few of these tracks.” More Info at: http://www.nanturner.bandcamp.com]

(42.) Michael Kiwanuka – KIWANUKA / Interscope Records / November 1, 2019
[Michael Samuel Kiwanuka (born 3 May 1987) is an English indie and folk rock singer-songwriter and record producer who is signed with Polydor Records. His 2012 debut album Home Again went gold in the United Kingdom and his second album, Love & Hate, debuted in 2016 at number one. He has been nominated for numerous honors, including the Brit Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, Mercury Prize, BBC Music Awards. In January 2012, he won the BBC’s Sound of 2012. Born and raised in Muswell Hill, London, Kiwanuka is the son of Ugandan parents who escaped the Amin regime. He attended Fortismere School, leaving there in 2005 after completing his A-Levels. He went on to study at the School of Media, Arts and Design at the University of Westminster. Kiwanuka worked as a session guitarist, playing with Chipmunk and Bashy before working as a solo artist. His first proper gig was at The Oxford in Kentish Town at age 22. He came to the attention of Communion Records, which released his first two EPs, including his debut Tell Me A Tale on 13 June 2011. Kiwanuka supported Adele on her Adele Live 2011 tour, as well at her iTunes Festival 2011 gig, and played at the 2011 Hard Rock Calling. In 2011, he signed a deal with Polydor Records. He was included in the BBC’s Sound of 2012 poll and was named as the winner on 6 January 2012. In June 2012, he was illustrated in a BBC article regarding Spain vis-à-vis Uganda during the Eurozone crisis; his putative counterpart was actress Penélope Cruz. Kiwanuka released his debut studio album, Home Again, in 2012 to positive reviews from critics. The album peaked at number 4 in the UK and, as of 2012, has sold over 70,000 copies in the UK. In 2016, Kiwanuka released his follow-up to Home Again, Love & Hate. The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching a peak at number 1 on the UK albums chart. The album was produced by Danger Mouse and spawned several singles. The HiPipo Music Awards honoured Kiwanuka with the Best Global Act award for his Love & Hate album success and musical accomplishments since his 2012 debut album Home Again. Kiwanuka has acknowledged influences from musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Bill Withers, Otis Redding,Jack Johnson, Pops Staples, The Band, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Eric Bibb, Tommy Sims, Wham!, Richie Havens and Funkadelic. He’s played with James Gadson, drummer for Bill Withers.]

(43.) Cass McCombs – Tip of the Sphere / Anti / February 8, 2019
[Produced by Cass McCombs & Dan Horne. Engineered by Sam Griffin Owens. Mixed by Dan Horne. Mastered by Heba Kadry. Vinyl cut by Carl Rowatti. Recorded at Figure 8 Studios, Brooklyn NY. Additional engineering on The Great Pixley Train Robbery by Jason Quever. All songs Cass McCombs (BMI)Cass McCombs was born 1977 in Concord, California) is an American musician, best known for blending genres such as rock, folk, psychedelic, punk, and alt country, he has played in numerous bands in the Bay Area and Pacific Northwest during the 1990s, often in DIY spaces, before relocating to New York City. He moved to San Francisco in 2001, where he recorded his debut E.P., entitled Not the Way E.P., released on Monitor Records in Baltimore. McCombs then recorded a Peel Session for John Peel in 2003, and that year released his first LP A, also touring with Baltimore’s OXES as his backing band. McCombs and his band spent much of 2003 and 2004 touring, performing everywhere from the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival to house shows. McCombs otherwise divided his time amongst the Pacific Northwest, England and Baltimore. In spring 2005 he released PREfection on Monitor Records and 4AD, and in support of the album he toured with Modest Mouse. Later that year, he moved to Southern California to begin work on his third full-length, Dropping the Writ, which was released on October 9, 2007, by Domino Records. It was named one of Amazon.com’s Best Albums of 2007. Also in 2007 he toured with Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. He signed a multiple-album deal with Domino Records, who released his following four records including Catacombs (2009), which was voted one of the “50 Top Albums on the Year” by Pitchfork. It was followed by Wit’s End (2011), Humor Risk (2011), and Big Wheel and Others (2013). He toured with John Cale in 2012, and also performed at the benefit concert Occupy Sandy. Other bands he has performed or toured with include Ariel Pink, Cat Power, Band of Horses, Andrew Bird, The Decemberists, Arcade Fire, Peter Bjorn and John, Papercuts, The Shins, Iron and Wine, Deerhoof, The Walkmen, Jana Hunter, Thurston Moore, Joe Russo and The War On Drugs. His single “Bradley Manning” premiered on the Democracy Now News Hour in 2012. His songs have been featured in films including the surf film The Present (2009), and Ralph Arlyck documentary Following Sean, as well as notable skate videos featuring Jason Dill, Jerry Hsu Chima Ferguson and Dylan Rieder. His song “Bobby, King of Boys Town” appeared in HBO show Girls (Season 2, Episode 9 – “On All Fours”). In 2014 he did a co-headlining fall tour with the Meat Puppets. McCombs is a member of The Skiffle Players, who released their debut LP, Skifflin’ on February 12, 2016. In June 2016, McCombs performed at the Primavera Sound and Field Day music festivals. McCombs ANTI- Records debut, Mangy Love was released on August 26, 2016.]

(44.) Hand Habits – placeholder / Saddle Creek Records / March 1, 2019
[Meg Duffy grew up in a small town in Upstate New York and they cut their teeth as a session guitarist and touring member of Kevin Morby’s band. The Hand Habits project emerged after Meg moved to Los Angeles; it started as a private songwriting outlet but soon evolved into a fully-fledged band with Meg at the helm. Hand Habits’ debut album, Wildly Idle (Humble Before The Void), was released by Woodsist Records in 2017. The LP was entirely self-produced and recorded in Meg’s home during spare moments when they weren’t touring. Wildly Idle (Humble Before The Void) is a lush, homespun collection of folk songs that found Meg in an exploratory state as an artist moving out on their own for the first time. Two years later, Hand Habits has returned with their sophomore album, placeholder. To make this album, Meg chose to work in a studio and bring in collaborators, entrusting them with what had previously been a very personal creative process. Over the course of 12 tracks, Meg emerges with new confidence as both a bandleader and singer. This album is as tender and immediate as anything Meg’s ever written, but it’s also intensely focused and refined, the work of a meticulous musician ready to share their singular vision with the world. The name placeholder stems from Meg’s fascination with the undefinable. Their songs serve as openings — carved-out spaces waiting to be endowed with meaning. As a lyricist, Meg is drawn to the in-between, and the songs on this new album primarily confront the ways in which certain experiences can serve as a stepping stone on the road to self-discovery. “A big aspect of my songwriting and the way I move through the world depends on my relationships with people. The songs on placeholder are about accountability and forgiveness,” Meg says. “These are all real stories. I don’t fictionalize much.” Meg describes these songs as their most direct to date, crafted with clear intention, and unlike Wildly Idle (Humble Before The Void), placeholder doesn’t meander. “It’s less of a submerged landscape and more a concise series of thoughts,” Meg explains. Instrumentally, placeholder can be situated alongside some of Meg’s folk-adjacent contemporaries like Angel Olsen or Big Thief, and the guitar work on this album proves that Meg continues to be one of the finest young musicians working today. placeholder is another entry in the Hand Habits songbook, but it’s also a valuable testament of our time. While placeholder inspires a sense of ease, simple questions rarely beget easy answers and Meg honors the indescribable joy and profound sorrow that comes with figuring things out, one step at a time.]

(45.) Big Thief – U.F.O.F. / 4AD / May 3, 2019
[Indie rock band with folk roots based in Brooklyn, New York. Adrianne Lenker on guitar & vocals, Buck Meek on guitar & backing vocals, Max Oleartchik on bass, and James Krivchenia on drums. All four members of Big Thief attended the Berklee College of Music, but only formed a group after each had graduated. The band’s first album, Masterpiece, was released on Saddle Creek Records on May 27, 2016. On April 4, 2017, Big Thief premiered a new single, “Mythological Beauty,” on NPR. The following day, the band released the single’s official video and confirmed that the song would appear on their next LP, Capacity. The full album was released on June 9 via Saddle Creek. In 2019, Big Thief released two albums and several singles. In the lead up to their third album, U.F.O.F., the band released three singles, ”U.F.O.F”, “Cattails”, and “Century.” The album was released on May 3, 2019. The band’s fourth album, Two Hands, was later released on October 11, 2019. Its release was preceded by the singles “Not” and “Forgotten Eyes.”]

(46.) The UK’s – Basement Mondays (EP) / The UK’s / October 26, 2019
[Kansas City based 4-piece alternative/rock/punk/garage band with Noah Bartelt on lead vocals & guitar, Scott Combs on guitar & vocals, Katelyn Miles on bass, and Tarquin Eugene Kellough on drums. Last year The UK’s released, “American Way of Death” on November 17, 2018. This was a follow up release to their 2016 debut album “Bad Seed.”]

(47.) Berwanger – Watching A Garden Die / Wiretap Records / June 28, 2019
[4th full length album from Berwanger the band fronted by rock & roll singer songwriter Josh Berwanger. Josh Berwanger was in The Anniversary, a Kansas band that released, 2000’s Designing a Nervous Breakdown & 2002’s Your Majesty and sold over 100,000 records before breaking up on tour in Japan. The band recently reunited for new shows and a tour this year. Berwanger was also in the band, The Only Children, and released, 2004’s Change of Living & 2007’s Keeper of Youth. When Keeper of Touth ended Josh Berwanger took a break and became a high school basketball coach. In the 2012 Josh formed the Josh Berwanger band. Berwanger released Dtrange Stains in April 2014, the EP Demonios November 11, 2016, Exorcism Rock in October 201/ OLIVIA FOX / August 23, 2019
[The Kansas City based band, OLIVIA FOX is Lauren Flynn, Aubrey Callahan and Tiffany Smith. The trio recently released their full length album “Carbon” on August 23, 2019. The band has previously released multiple singles and two EPs. OLIVIA FOX create music that is a unique marriage between classic folk instrumentation, vocals, and harmonies to modern programmed beats and synth pads.]

(48.) Olivia Fox – Carbon / OLIVIA FOX / August 23, 2019
[The Kansas City based band, OLIVIA FOX is Lauren Flynn, Aubrey Callahan and Tiffany Smith. The trio recently released their full length album “Carbon” on August 23, 2019. The band has previously released multiple singles and two EPs. OLIVIA FOX create music that is a unique marriage between classic folk instrumentation, vocals, and harmonies to modern programmed beats and synth pads.]

(49.) Headlight Rivals – Mattson / Black Site Records / November 1, 2019
[Manhattan, Kansas based band formed by Eric Kleiner on guitar & vocals, Seven Black on bass, and Kris Kleiner on drums. With Pete Boulger on accessory percussion, Rich Mattson on backing vocals & slide guitar, Kate Trimmell on backing vocals, and Jeff Denney on all air guitars. All songs written by Headlight Rivals. Produced by Rich Mattson and Headlight Rivals. Digital mastering by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures Soundlab. Vinyl mastering by Chris Muth at Taloowa Corp. Photos by Carlos Salazar © 2019 Headlight Rivals. All Rights Reserved. The band previously released the EP Juliette on June 29, 2017.]

(50.) Brittany Howard – Jaime / ATO Records / September 20, 2019
[Brittany Howard writes, “I wrote this record as a process of healing. Every song, I confront something within me or beyond me. Things that are hard or impossible to change, words and music to describe what I’m not good at conveying to those I love, or a name that hurts to be said: Jaime. // I dedicated the title of this record to my sister who passed away as a teenager. She was a musician too. I did this so her name would no longer bring me memories of sadness and as a way to thank her for passing on to me everything she loved: music, art, creativity. // But, the record is not about her. It’s about me. // It’s not as veiled as work I have done before. I’m pretty candid about myself and who I am and what I believe. Which, is why I needed to do it on my own. // I wrote and arranged a lot of these songs on my laptop using Logic. Shawn Everett helped me make them worthy of listening to and players like Nate Smith, Robert Glasper, Zac Cockrell, Lloyd Buchanan, Lavinia Meijer, Paul Horton, Rob Moose and Larry Goldings provided the musicianship that was needed to share them with you. // Some songs on this record are years old that were just sitting on my laptop, forgotten, waiting to come to life. Some of them I wrote in a tiny green house in Topanga, CA during a heatwave. // I was inspired by traveling across the United States. I saw many beautiful things and many heartbreaking things: poverty, loneliness, discouraged people, empty and poor towns. And of course the great swathes of natural, untouched lands. Huge pink mountains, seemingly endless lakes, soaring redwoods and yellow plains that stretch for thousands of acres. There were these long moments of silence in the car when I could sit and reflect. I wondered what it was I wanted for myself next. I suppose all I want is to help others feel a bit better about being. All I can offer are my own stories in hopes of not only being seen and understood, but also to learn to love my own self as if it were an act of resistance. // Resisting that annoying voice that exists in all of our heads that says we aren’t good enough, talented enough, beautiful enough, thin enough, rich enough or successful enough. The voice that amplifies when we turn on our TVs or scroll on our phones. // It’s empowering to me to see someone be unapologetically themselves when they don’t fit within those images. That’s what I want for myself next and that’s why I share with you, “Jaime”.”]

(51.) Radar State – Strays / Wiretap Records / January 11, 2019
[Radar State features Josh Berwanger (The Anniversary, Berwanger) and Jim Suptic (The Get Up Kids, Blackpool Lights) trading off lead and rhythm guitar duties, with Matt Pryor (The Get Up Kids, The New Amsterdams) on bass, and Adam Phillips (The Architects, The Gadjits) on drums. Berwanger, Pryor, and Suptic all take turns on lead vocals.]

(52.) Volker Brothers – Wrecking Ball (EP) / Volker Brothers / June 28, 2019
[2nd EP from Erik Voeks and David George, two rock and roll brothers who play guitar and harmonized on their own pop-folk-rock songs influenced by The Everly Brothers to Elvis Costello from XTC to the Finn Brothers. The new Volker Brothers EP was recorded at Weights and Measures Sound Lab with engineer Duane Trower, with Matt Richey on drums, Lin Buck on keys, and Rick Willoughby on bass. Singer, songwriter, producer, rock and roller, musical theatre creator, David George has toured all over, played on national televison, has written a Christmas Musical about a Drag Queen, and has performed at The Missouri Reperatory Theatre. David George also had a recent release — three EP’s over a twelve month period. Here I Go Again, Won’t Let Go, and Lesson Of Love, with each album adding to the previous (acoustic, band, horns). George gained national attention when the Kansas City Chiefs chose his song “Hey, Kansas City!” to be their touchdown anthem in 2015-16 season. He also toured with the legendary John Fogerty, performing sold out arenas and the “late night” circuit (David Letterman, Jay Leno). Erik Voeks recently released full length album So The Wind Won’t Blow It Away in 2017 on Hanky Panky Records, a label based in Bilbao, Spain. It is the highly anticipated follow up to his 1993 album, Sandbox (Rockville Records) “A pervasively melodic collection of power-pop – a lost masterpiece” (Fresh Air KCUR). This doesn’t mean Voeks wasn’t busy. He has been a very in demand bassist in the Midwest and tours in Europe. The word “Volker” comes from the Germanic word “Fulc” meaning people. It is also the name of a neighborhood in KCwhere Erik Voeks & David George met. Volker Brothers are an acoustic duo that share lead vocals & background harmonies influenced by the likes of The Everly Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel, The Eagles, Tom Petty, and Elvis Costello to Crowded House, XTC, and The Beatles. Voeks and George first started playing together when one would fill in with the other’s band. Whether it was Erik playing bass and singing backup in David George & A Crooked Mile or David playing guitar and singing backup in Erik Voeks & The Vague Lakes, the two realized they had a musicality in common. Stripping the band back to just the two of them on acoustic guitars enabled them to do a weeks worth of shows in Seattle. They began performing intimate shows around Kansas City, including house concerts and private events, and spreading the word on their melody driven, harmony enriched, acoustic based music. It’s not pop and it’s not folk, but a blend of the two.More info at: http://www.volkerbrothers.com]

(53.) The Greeting Committee – I’m Afraid I’m Not Angry (EP) / Harvest Records / October 17, 2019
[Formed in Kansas City in 2015 with Addie Sartino, Brandon Yangmi, Austin Fraser, and Pierce Turcotte. This new EP is a follow up to their October 26, 2018 full length vinyl release “This Is It.” The band has previously released the EP “Meeting People is Easy” in 2017, and “It’s Not All That Bad” in 2015.]

(54.) Durand Jones and The Indications – American Love Call / Dead Oceans / March 1, 2019
[Bayou-born soul sensation, Durand Jones got his start in the church, after being forced to sing in the choir of his rural hometown Hillaryville, Louisiana because his Grandmother thought he sang too much at home. When his music career took him to Bloomington, Indiana, he was selected to join the legendary Indiana University Soul Revue, and it was through his involvement that he met writer/producer duo Aaron Frazer and Blake Rhein. The three began writing original soul music, recording themselves straight to tape in the basements of Bloomington – and their debut album is now available on Colemine Records.]

(55.) Simon Fink and The Wires – Lullabies Till Dawn / Simon Fink / June 8, 2019
[Simon Fink is a composer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. His music has been called “delicate, intriguing, shadowy, (and) suddenly new” (NPR) and “refreshing” (The Kansas City Star). He brings a wide-ranging background and classically-trained ear to genres from opera to electronic music to the American folk song. His music has received honors from the Museum of Modern Art (NY), the Aspen Music Festival, the Academy of Arts and Letters, the MacDowell Colony, the Mellon Foundation, and the ASCAP Foundation. He currently writes and performs with the folk/bluegrass quartet Under the Big Oak Tree. Lullabies Till Dawn is an illustrated songbook with songs and narrative by Simon Borman Fink and art by Benjamin Parks. The accompanying CD features performances of the lullabies by Simon Fink with The Wires string duo (Laurel Morgan Parks and Sascha Groschang) and harmony vocals by Cheyenne Dorrell.]

(56.) Ensemble Iberica – Live Recordings / Tzigane Music / July 19, 2019
[One of two different volumes of live recordings release this Summer from the collective.Kansas City based Ensemble Ibérica performs the music of Iberia (Spain and Portugal) and their former colonies. Programs explore diverse time periods, styles and locations including the Spanish Baroque, Portuguese Fado and Argentine Tango. Ensemble Ibérica features extraordinary musicians from classical, jazz and urban folk music traditions giving the audience something that is truly unique. Band Members include: Beau Bledsoe, Victoria Botero, Karim Memi, Rich Wheeler, Brandon Draper, Victor Penniman, Jeff Harshbarger, Jordan Shipley, and Michael McClintock. Live Recordings (Vol 1) features highlights from our 2015 and 2016 Concert Series. Ensemble Iberica records every concert, and this collection was edited down from approximately fifty hours of recordings in concert halls, theaters, and intimate clubs. The energy and mutual engagement between musicians and a live audience is an irreplaceable experience for all involved. This spontaneous dynamic allows a musician to embrace an unscripted accident or to extend an improvisation into unimagined territory. A live recording can transmit these aspects of performance much more than a studio recording can ever attain. Performers include: Nathalie Pires on vocals, Mireya Ramos on vocals & violin, Shae Fiol ob vocals, Bruno Bessa on vocals, Victoria Botero on soprano, Fedra Cooper Barrera on vocals, Beau Bledsoe on guitar, Michael McClintock on guitar, Jeff Freling on guitar, Jordan Shipley on guitar, Rod Fleeman on guitar, Clarke Wyatt on banjo, Victor Penniman on viola da gamba, Christian Fatu on violin, Betse Ellis on fiddle & vocals, Norma Pacheco O’Neil on castanets, Amado Espinoza on charango, flutes & percussion, Brandon Draper on percussion, John Currey on percussion, Pat Conway on percussion, Zsolt Eder on violin, Rich Wheeler on Saxophone, Jeff Harshbarger on bass, Dominique Sanders on bass, Pedro Pimentel on bass, Hermon Mehari on trumpet, Mark Strozier on flute. More info at: http://www.ensembleiberica.org]

(57.) Shiny Jets – EPs 1 & 2 / Shiny Jets / June 4, 2019
[On June 4, 2019 Shiny Jets released EPs 1 & 2 on 12″ vinyl and also EPs 3 & 4 and a second 12″ vinyl. All songs written, recorded and mixed by Shiny Jets. Mastered by Carl Saff at Saff Studios. Shiny Jets is an experimental rock band formed in Chicago in 2004. The band began when drummer Tucker Slough encountered Singer/Guitarist Shanté Clair performing at a party thrown by a mutual friend in the Rogers Park area. The two struck up a friendship and began trying to incorporate Tucker’s drumming into Shanté’s existing solo project, The Maybe. Soon they began writing new songs and pushing their musical ideas further, incorporating looping pedals and other electronics until they had compiled a number of songs. Some time afterwards, Tucker moved back to his hometown of Kansas City and Shanté left Chicago to live in New York for a number of years. Around 2014, the two began working on new songs together, with Shanté writing songs that Tucker would then add drums parts to and send back via Dropbox. Within a short time the material they were creating began to take shape and discussions began about re-establishing the band. In March of 2015 Shanté packed up and moved to Kansas City to begin work on the project that would assume the moniker Shiny Jets. Incorporating songs written back in Chicago and those songs written long distance between New York and Kansas City, the two began adding layers of sampling and further experimentation with even more complex looping and arrangements. Currently Shiny Jets are currently based in Kansas City where the band rehearse, perform and record. More info at: http://www.shinyjetsmusic.com]

(58.) Akkilles – Your Ghost / David Bennett / November 8, 2019
[Akkilles is the music project of David Bennett. He also helps other people make music. For this recording: All songs written & performed by David Bennett. All songs produced by David Bennett & Joel Nanos at Element Recording in Kansas City. Drums by Isaac Anderson. Bass by Nick Pick & David Bennett. All other instruments by David Bennett. Artwork by @mattschmitzillustration. David Bennet writes on Instagram that this release features, “Some new old tunes…” and that he “Wrote these tunes in 2013 and 2014, and that they were all recorded with Joel Nanos at Element Recording.” In 2019 Akkilles also released three singles with one of them appaering on the new EP. “Feelin’ My Self” was released February 1, 2019. “Meet in the Middle” was released October 25, 2019. “By Myself” was eleased Nov. 1, 2019 Akkilles released the critically acclaimed debut record “Something You’d Say” on July 2, 2013.]

(59.) Yola – Walk Through Fire / Nonesuch Records / February 22, 2019
[Yolanda Quartey was born 1984. Known professionally as Yola. She is an English singer-songwriter, from Bristol, England. She became the lead singer of the band Phantom Limb, who released their first album in 2010. She also sang backing vocals for Massive Attack. Yola released her first EP, Orphan Offering, in 2016. In February 2019, she released her debut album Walk Through the Fire on Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound label, to much acclaim. AllMusic called it “an extraordinary record, one designed to be part of a grand musical tradition, and it contains enough emotion and imagination to earn its place within that lineage.”]

(60.) Fathers – High Horses (EP) / Fathers / March 1, 2019
[Formed in 2017 the band includes: Kenneth Storz on vocals, guitar, & keyboards; Brooke Honeycutt on vocals, bells, & percussion; David Vava Littlewood on vocals, keyboards, & bells; Matt Guilliams on bass, & percussion; Bryce Veazey on vibraphone, voice, & percussion; Josh Seerden on guitar, keyboards, bass, & percussion; Celeste Tilley on trombone, vocals, & percussion.]

(61.) True Lions – You’re Not Invited (EP) / True Lions / Nov. 9, 2019
[This is the band’s second EP release of this year. They released their EP debut, “Cute at Best,” on February 5, 2019. True Lions is: Alison Hawkins on guitar, synth, and vocals; Elizabeth Kosko on percussion, vocals; Mikala Petillo on bass, vocals; Claire Adams on guitar, vocals; Leslie Butsch on saxophone, Ezgi Karakus on cello; and Teri Quinn on vocals. All songs written by True Lions and produced by Claire Adams and Alison Hawkins. Tracking Engineering by Claire Adams. Mixing and Mastering by Ian Dobyns and Chase Horseman. Album Artwork by Genevieve Sloan. Special thanks to Calvin Arsenia and Fritz Hutchison.]

(62.) Miki P – Swallowtail (EP) / Miki P / September 1, 2018
[1st single of new EP from Miki P, with The swallowtails, a follow up to her debut full length album Dome of Swallows from last year. Labeled: “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 the band 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 and using them frequently in all projects she is involved in. She was a featured vocalist with The Band That Fel to Earth – Bowie Tribute in January. She has 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.]

(63.) The National – I Am Easy to Find / 4AD / May 17, 2019
[The National is an American rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio, formed in 1999. The band consists of Matt Berninger (vocals), Aaron Dessner (guitar, piano, keyboards), Bryce Dessner (guitar), Scott Devendorf (bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums). Founded by Berninger, Aaron Dessner, and Scott and Bryan Devendorf, The National released their self-titled debut album, The National (2001), on Brassland Records, an independent record label founded by Dessner and his twin brother, Bryce Dessner. Bryce, who had assisted in recording the album, soon joined the band, participating as a full member in the recording of its follow-up, Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers (2003). Leaving behind their day jobs, the National signed with Beggars Banquet Records and released their third studio album, Alligator (2005), to widespread critical acclaim. The band’s fourth and fifth studio albums, Boxer (2007) and High Violet (2010), increased their exposure significantly. In 2013, the band released its sixth studio album, Trouble Will Find Me, which was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. In 2017 the band released the album Sleep Well Beast, which won the Grammy award for Best Alternative Music Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. Their eighth studio album, I Am Easy to Find, was released on May 17, 2019. Four of the band’s albums were included on NME’s 2013 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Pitchfork writes: “On nearly every song Berninger is accompanied and sometimes silenced by a rotation of featured female vocalists who step in to offer perspective, commentary, and dissent. The National have recruited some of the best singers out, among them Lisa Hannigan, Mina Tindle, Kate Stables, Sharon Van Etten, and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, whose spotlight “Dust Swirls in Strange Light” benches Berninger all together. Most revelatory of all is Gail Ann Dorsey, David Bowie’s longtime bassist and backing singer, who heralds the album’s new direction midway through opener “You Had Your Soul With You.” Her extraordinary voice of saffron arrives like a divine intervention, instantly parting a track that had previously been National-by-numbers.]

(64.) Kemet the Phantom – Electric Park / Kemet Creative / August 16, 2019
[Through the lens of the 32-year-old rap artists’ upbringing from birth to present day in Kansas City, each song represents eight topics: SEDUCTION, POWER, VICE, DEATH, EUPHORIA, LUST, PRIDE, CHANGE. With songs like “Rollin’ Down Paseo”, Kemet explores the nostalgia and confusion of emotions that fester as the future of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, formally known as The Paseo, is determined by a vote. Electric Park was co-produced by Kemet and the legendary producer and sound designer, Leonard Dstroy.
Executive Produced by Kyle Dykes. Written by Kemet Coleman. Artwork by Kemet Coleman, Michael Picman and Jon Conway. Kemet Coleman is Kemet the Phantom, a Kansas City based musicians who calls himself a rap Artist, actor, and Urbanist. Kemet is a member of the Hip-Hop duo COA (Center of Attention) and is the lead singer of the 8-member Funk/Rap/Soul band The Phantastics. Kemet, shines as a complete showman embracing a James Brown-esque persona via syncopated vocals, rhythmic dance moves and dapper costume style. Kemet the Phantom is a two time Pitch Music Award nominee for “Best Hip-Hop Act.” Kemet created the first ever Kansas City mayoral candidate rap song for the Sly James for Mayor campaign in 2010. 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. More info at: http://www.kemetthephantom.com.] [Kemet The Phantom plays with Marcus Lewis Big Band presenting his hip hop poetry with, 18-piece jazz ensemble called Brass and Bougee.]

(65.) The Nicole Springer Band – Willing (EP) / Nicole Springer / Nov. 10, 2019
[Nicole Springer is a singer-songwriter + multi-instrumentalist out of the Kansas City Metro. She was the founder of critically acclaimed + award wining local groups, The Clementines, and The Good Hearts. She’s written original music for her bands The Good Hearts, Heart Machine, and her solo projects. Nicole Springer is a 2019 Pitch KC nominee for Best Vocalist, multi-award winning and critically acclaimed singer-songwriter. Nicole has performed at numerous festivals and venues. In 2014 she was the recipient of both a Pitch Music Award and Project Backstage Award. More info at http://www.nicolespringersings.com.]

(66.) Chase The Horseman – Disinformation Blues (EP) / Chase Horseman / July 12, 2019
[Music & lyrics by Chase Horseman. Recorded & Mixed by Joel Nanos & Chase Horseman at Element Recording. Mastered by Joel Nanos. Drums by Ian Dobyns, bass by Skylar Cowdry, guitar/vocals/synthesizers by Chase Horseman. Chase the Horseman is a band, film composer, multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, & producer. He has composed music for over 36 films and as musician has collaborated with Clairaudients, Teri Quinn, Heidi Lynne Gluck, and more. Chase The Horseman released the single “U Martyr U” June 19, 2018, and the single “Modern Ruins” on Oct 4, 2018.]

(67.) Scott Stanton & The Butter Band – Crag-o-lea / Scott Stanton / February 25, 2019
[Three years in the making, the newest album from Scott Stanton & The Butter Band features the songs of Scott Stanton one of KC’s finest songwriters of original, down-to-earth songs weaved with inspiration from songwriters Bob Dylan & John Prine. Recorded at Rob Nold Studio. Mixed & mastered by James Albright. Scott Stanton (songwriter) on vocals & acoustic guitar; Chad Brothers on acoustic guitar & harmonies; Kasey Rausch on upright bass & harmonies & fiddle; Marco Pascolini on pedal steel guitar; Grady Keller on banjo. Scott Stanton is also a host & Producer for River Trade Radio airing Sundays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.]

(68.) Wonderfuzz – Get There / MASKT / April 19, 2019
[Wonderfuzz is a Kansas City based band formed on May 11, 2012 with Natalie Norman on vocals, Jordan Smith on bass & vocals, Sam Hoskins on drums & vocals, Josh Johnson on guitar & vocals, and EvanJohn McIntosh on guitar. The 5-piece band started out working for several years as a cover band, studying multiple styles of rock & roll and rhythm & blues. In 2018 Wonderfuzz began to write and record original material releasing a few singles in 2018. In April of 2019 the band released their debut full length album “Get There” and their first music video, for the title track. On November 7, 2019, Wonderfuzz releases their second full length album this year. Wonderfuzz released a second full length live album “Live With It” Nov. 8, 2019]

(69.) Jamila Woods – LEGACY! LEGACY! / Jagjaguwar / May 10, 2019
[Second album 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 her SoundCloud page on July 11, 2016 to critical acclaim. The album features collaborations with Chance the Rapper, Noname, Saba, Lorine Chia, Kweku Collins and Donnie Trumpet.]

(70.) The Wires – Wilder / The Wires / May 11, 2019
[2nd album from KC bsed duo, The Wires who compose and perform original music for violin and cello. Inspired by a myriad of genres and eclectic sounds, The Wires are not your typical strings group. The project encompasses a blend of wide-ranging styles, from tango to gypsy, jazz to rock and infused with the precision of classical form. Created, composed & performed by Laurel Morgan (violin) and Sascha Groschang (cello). Laurel Morgan grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. A classically trained musician, she has been playing the violin for 30 years. Laurel graduated from the UMKC Conservatory of Music in 2005. She has also performed with the Des Moines Symphony, Quixotic Fusion, Musical Theatre Heritage at the Off-Center Theatre, the folk-rock band, ‘In the Pines” that won several Pitch Music Awards. And with her husband artist Ben Parks she is ia founder of the band Of Tree As a composer, arranger, and musician Laurel Morgan has traveled to Germany, Austria, and throughout the United States, but is based here in Kansas City. Sascha Groschang graduated from Paseo Academy of Performing Arts in 2000, UMKC Conservatory of Music in 2004, and Mannes College – The New School For Music in 2008. She had her solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall’s recital hall, Weill Hall in February 2009. Sascha has recorded or performed with Peter Gabriel, Joanna Newsom, Ashanti, Adina Menzel, Clay Walker, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She has also worked for NBC, Rhino Records, Juniper String Ensemble, Saint Joesph Symphony, and is part of the faculty at Missouri Western State University. She also teaches out of her Midtown KC home studio. You can learn more at: cellolady.com The Wires joined us live on WMM on May 8, 2019.]

(71.) The Depth and The Whisper – The Waiting is the Hardest Part / The Depth and The Whisper / January 18, 2019
[Dave Tanner on bass, guitar & vocals; Albert Bickley on guitar & vocals. Albert Bickley, a Kansas City native, who now lives in New York has been writing, recording and performing original music for years. Everything, including other bands he’s been in, have led to this moment and this project. Dave Tanner, a Canadian who calls Parkville, MO, home, has played bass in numerous bands through the years from rock and heavy metal to folk and punk. Albert Bickley and Dave Tanner do not believe the world owes them anything, but they know that they have something to give her. The two songwriters and musicians met in 2010 in the music scene of Kansas City, where they both had been active for several years. “When my last band broke up and I wrote new songs again, I immediately thought of Dave,” Albert remembers “I wanted his bass. I just told him to come over when you have time. He played the demos, we listened to it and just said, ‘That’s it! Perfect! ‘”This feeling is very rare.” Dave confirms:” We immediately had great respect and reverence for each other. We are both at the moment. And our music satisfies a deep need in us. We complement each other, we get better. And by that I do not just mean the music. “Because since then an extraordinary friendship has grown between them. “Albert and I started a conversation back then,” Dave explains, “and it never ended.”]

(72.) Cuee – Shameless / Cuee / November 23, 2018
[Originating from Chicago, Illinois, Cuee is a 27 year old Lawrence based hip-hop artist emcee, and educator. Cuee who has gained fans over the last three years in Lawrence and Kansas City for their critically acclaimed musical releases and live performances. Cuee recently recieved their Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas where Cuee also worked as a graduate assistant. Cuee is also a recently graduate of Artist Inc. and has a passionate drive for everything hip-hop. Drawing major influence from hip-hop artists such as Missy Elliot, J. Cole, and Chance The Rapper.]

(73.) Approach – Merely Minutes, In A Day / Datura Records / February 4, 2019
[Produced, Sequenced, Recorded, Photography, Mixed & Mastered By: Aikido Bray. Artwork & Design By: The Art My Life Imitates. Sean Hunt aka Approach is a Kansas emcee/producer who’s been in the game for almost 20 years. He’s released almost a dozen records and traveled the world over the span of his career. He’s also the cofounder of Datura Records, a hip hop label started in 2000.]

(74.) Lambchop – This (Is What I Wanted to Tell You) / Merge Records / March 22, 2019
[Lambchop, originally from Nashville, was ever a band with a “core” lineup, Lambchop has consisted of a large and fluid collective of musicians focused around its creative centre, frontman Kurt Wagner. AllMusic referred to tLambchop as “arguably the most consistently brilliant and unique American group to emerge during the 1990s”. Initially indebted to traditional country, the music has subsequently moved through a range of influences including post-rock, soul and lounge music. Whatever the style, the characteristic mood of Lambchop’s music is evoked by Wagner’s distinctive songwriting: lyrically subtle and ambiguous, the vocals melodic but understated. Not so long ago, Lambchop had a famously sprawling line-up, toting a dozen or so members around the world and into the studio to document elliptical country-soul mutations. But in recent years, the band has become a more personal vehicle for Kurt Wagner. Anchored by him and framed by bassist Matt Swanson and Wagner’s incorrigibly grinning foil, the pianist Tony Crow, the Lambchop of this decade has become more pliant and adaptable, opening itself to unexpected collaborators that give Wagner’s thoughts and feelings the shape they need for each new album.]

(75.) Amyl and The Sniffers – Amyl and The Sniffers / ATO Records / May 24, 2019
[Debut album from Melbourne, Australia based, 4-piece punk band fronted by singer Amy Taylor who explains of the song, “‘Got You’ is about that feeling you get when you first start seeing someone and you’re excited to see them, no matter what shit they got. You just see them at the pub and it feels like the most exciting thing in the world, like you’re so lucky they’re even there. It’s definitely one of the “sweetest” songs on the album, and less punky. It was kind of inspired by Split Enz.”]

(76.) Lee Fields & The Expressions – 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.]

(77.) Sky Smeed – Leaving Again / Sky Smeed / February 9, 2019
[Sky Smeed told us that he wrote this song while watching the horrible things that happened in Charlottesville, WV a few weeks ago. It’s influenced by a bunch of things for certain. Sky Smeed was born and raised outside of Chanute, Kansas, in an old, one-room schoolhouse his parents bought and turned into a home in the early 1970s. Last year, he sold the country home he built by hand and migrated to Lawrence, Kansas, a place that has provided a non-stop supply of creativity, community and culture, and began settling in to an old fixer-upper on the north side of the Kaw River. To date, Smeed has self-released five full-length albums: Flying High (2002), The Front Steps (2004), Mill River (2006), Sky Smeed (2012) and Drive All Night (2015). His sixth album, Lunker Bass (released February 1, 2017), was recorded and produced at The Ninth Ward Pickin’ Parlor in Lawrence by none other than award-winning folk duo Truckstop Honeymoon (Mike & Katie West).]

(78.) Ibibio Sound Machine – Doko Mien / Merge Records / March 22, 2019
[Ibibio Sound Machine is an English electronic afro-funk band from London. Formed in 2013, the band currently consists of vocalist Eno Williams, guitarist Alfred Kari Bannerman, percussionist Anselmo Netto, drummer Jose Joyette, bassist John McKenzie, trombonist/keyboardist Tony Hayden, trumpeter/keyboardist Scott Baylis and saxophonist/keyboardist Max Grunhard. The band was formed in London 2010 by producers Max Grunhard, Leon Brichard, and Benji Bouton. The trio were interested in producing music fusing elements from 1980s afrobeat and 90s drum-and-bass. They approached singer Eno Williams to create vocals for the project. After the first sessions had been successfully finished, live musicians were added to create a full band. These included the Ghanaian guitarist Alfred Bannerman from the band KonKoma and Afro-rock band Osibisa, Brazilian percussionist Anselmo Netto, and multi-instrumentalists Tony Hayden and Scott Baylis. The band released their first single in January 2014 on Soundway, entitled Let’s Dance. Their self-titled debut album followed in March the same year. In 2016, the band signed to Merge Records to create their follow-up record. Their second album, Uyai, was released in 2017. Ibibio Sound Machine is a clash of African and electronic elements. The band claims their sound is inspired in equal measure by the golden era of West African funk and disco, modern post-punk, and electro. The name of the band itself finds influence from Eno Williams’ mother, whose native tongue was Ibibio. While Williams was born in London, she spent most of her childhood in Nigeria with the rest of her family. Her mother often recounted numerous folk and children’s stories from her own heritage and passed them on to her daughter. Williams took this inspiration and crafted lyrics from these sources and married them to modern themes.]

(79.) Calvin Arsenia – Honeydew (EP) / 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, and Calvin Arsenia. 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 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.]

(80.) Y god Y – Y god Y (EP) / High Dive Records / April 5, 2019
[Y god Y is an electronic duo from Lawrence Kansas that formed in the summer of 2017. The project consists of producer Joel Martin and singer / multi-instrumentalist, Garrett Marsh. The two write, record and produce their music entirely on their own. With only a handful of singles released, they have quickly garnered attention in the Midwest by performing with the likes of Phoenix, and at several Midwest Festivals alongside Grizzly Bear, Spoon, Lion Babe, and Leikeli47. This was also their 4th single and part of their debut 5-song EP released on High Dive Records. Garrett Marsh on vocals & Joel Martin on music, making “experimental R & B” with influences of 80’s electropop.]

(81.) Digital Leather – FEEET / Digital Leather / January 13, 2018
[“Feeet” is an eclectic compilation of mainly tape-only released songs written and recorded between 2008 and 2018. Ranging from catchy synthpop to colder dark-wave tunes, these tracks represent a dark journey, where sometimes, despair reigns freely. Sometimes hatred is the only food there is. Sometimes love is an extended nightmare. But it goes further than that. This is the 15th album release from Omaha, Nebraska based Synth punk, New Wave, pop, lo-fi, and psychedelic musical project led by multi-instrumentalist Shawn Foree. Originally from Yuma, Arizona, Foree began calling his project Digital Leather when he moved to Tucson, where he studied American Literature at University of Arizona. He used student loan money to buy equipment. He managed to release his first three albums after recording them in his bedroom on labels such as Tic Tac Totally, Jay Reatard’s Shattered Records imprint, and FDH Records. He supported this “bedroom project” with several nationwide and European tours. Sorcerer, released on Goner Records in 2008, is a half-live, half-studio record. In 2009, Foree began working on a collection of songs in a fully operational studio. Released in September 2009 by Fat Possum Records, Warm Brother garnered positive reviews. After relocating to Omaha, Nebraska, a 5-piece band formed. They toured around and as a band with synth-leads courtesy of The Faint’s Todd Fink. Digital Leather writes: “We design our shifting realities. One minute, things make sense. The next minute, we are unraveled. We must fight to create ourselves or die.” Fueled on desert energy, cheap synthesizers, and 4-track home recorders, Digital Leather began as Shawn Foree’s one-man bedroom project in Tucson, Arizona. The music was intended to be shared with a small circle of friends only. Without warning, that circle grew. Digital Leather has since moved in several stylistic directions, but has always adhered to one law: nothing lasts. Shawn Foree writes: “I just keep writing. Usually I feel like my life is passing me by while I’m holed up in my apartment hunched over a synthesizer. It’s hard to maintain relationships when you live in your head all the time. Some people will treat you like you’re crazy for having an imagination. That’s bullshit on their part, but it still sucks to be chastised for having a brain, especially when it’s from someone you care about. The payoff is worth it, though, even if you lose that someone in the process. The raw energy of honest art, to express yourself in a real way, connects you to something higher than love. Creation is a unique high and I’m addicted to it. This album spans a long period of time and represents these kind of lows and highs well. The tracks have appeared on various small run releases, but now I understand that they belong together. It feels worth it.” The band writes: “We sincerely hope this exceptional collection of dark, outsider pop music feels fresh and alive to you. At least for the time being, before the world blows up.” All music invented by Shawn Foree. Human drum sounds provided by Jeff Lambelet, Sean Ruse, and Gregory Elsasser.]

(82.) Lana Del Rey – Norman Fucking Rockwell! / Polydor Records – Interscope Records / August 30, 2019
[Elizabeth Woolridge Grant was born June 21, 1985, and she is known professionally as Lana Del Rey, an American singer and songwriter. Her music has been noted by critics for its stylized cinematic quality; its themes of tragic romance, glamour, and melancholia; and its references to pop culture, particularly 1950s and 1960s Americana. Born in New York City and raised in Upstate New York, Del Rey returned to New York City in 2005 to begin her music career. Following numerous projects including her debut studio album and the unreleased Sirens, Del Rey’s breakthrough came after the viral success of her debut single “Video Games” in 2011. She signed with Interscope and Polydor later that year. Her major label debut Born to Die (2012) proved an international success and spawned her only top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100 with the Cedric Gervais remix of “Summertime Sadness”, as well as the internationally successful singles “Blue Jeans”, “Born to Die”, and “National Anthem”. Del Rey released the Grammy-nominated EP, Paradise in 2012. The next year, Del Rey ventured into film as she wrote, directed and starred in the short music film, Tropico, and released “Young and Beautiful” for the film The Great Gatsby (2013). Del Rey subsequently issued her sophomore major label effort, Ultraviolence (2014), to critical success, topping the charts and spawning the single, “West Coast”. That same year, Del Rey recorded the eponymous theme for Big Eyes, which garnered her both Grammy and Golden Globe nominations. Shortly afterwards, Del Rey released the critically acclaimed Honeymoon (2015) and Lust for Life (2017), the latter of which topped the charts in the U.S. and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. Del Rey’s sixth studio album, Norman Fucking Rockwell, was released on August 30, 2019, to widespread acclaim. In 2019, Del Rey also released the commercially successful singles “Doin’ Time” and “Don’t Call Me Angel”, the latter being a trio with Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus. As of 2019, Del Rey has sold over 5 million singles in the UK and has sold 5.5 million units in the US. Her YouTube and Vevo pages have combined lifetime views of 3.5 billion.]

(83.) Better Oblivion Community Center – Better Oblivion Community Center / Dead Oceans / January 23, 2019
[Better Oblivion Community Center is an American indie rock duo composed of musicians Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers. Oberst and Bridgers first met in 2016 when Bridgers performed at a secret showcase Oberst hosted at the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles. They collaborated on the duet “Would You Rather” from Bridgers’ 2017 debut album Stranger in the Alps. The duo’s album received critical acclaim upon release.They performed “Dylan Thomas” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert the day before it’s release. On January 29, 2019, the band announced their initial concert tour of the United States and Europe along with releasing a music video for their initial single, “Dylan Thomas”, directed by Michelle Zauner a.k.a. Japanese Breakfast.]

(84.) Blue False Indigo – Around The Fire (EP) / Blue False Indigo / October 31, 2019
[This is the follw up recording to their September 7, 2018 release More Light. They call their music “Spooky-Folk.” Formed in October 2013, in Springfield, Missouri, by Makayla Scott on vocals & guitar; A.J. Valle on vocals & keys; and Kara LePage on vocals & bass. With Michael Schley on electric guitar. and McQuiston Bowes on drums. “Don’t Dream It’s Over” is a song by the Australian rock band Crowded House, recorded for their 1986 self-titled debut studio album. The song was written by band frontman Neil Finn, and released in October 1986 as the fourth single from the album.]

(85.) Deco Auto – Another Great Decision (EP) / Deco Auto / April 5, 2019
[Newest EP from Kansas City based alternative pop-punk / power-pop trio. Guitar/vocals: Steven Garcia on guitar and lead vocals, Tracy Flowers on bass & vocals, and Pat Tomek on drums. Written by Steven Garcia, $tudent Loans For Life Music (ASCAP). Recorded, and mixed and by Pat Tomek at Largely Studios, Kansas City, MO. Mastered by Gabe Fry at Kimura Studios. Produced by Steven Garcia and Pat Tomek. “Deco Auto is the perpetual opener, the also-rans, the nice-guys-finish-last band in the KC rock scene. Songwriter Steve Garcia is to blame, and he knows it. His songs straddle the line between power pop and pop punk — never casual enough for the former, nor saccharine enough for the latter.” ~ Too Much Rock]

(86.) Lovergurl – Buzzkill (EP) / Lovergurl / September 7, 2019
[Last release from Lovergurl who disbanded in September 2019 after the trio announced that their guitarist and vocalist, Heather Andrews was moving out of Kansas City to pursue her career in animation. KC based 4-piece band, Lovergurl caught our ear with their synth pop sound and lyrics reflecting social and political messages with hip hop and punk elements. The trio released their EP, The President is a Sex Offender on May 19, 2017. Keyboardist and vocalist, Stephanie Bankston was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She is a graduate of The University of Missouri. She moved abroad in her 20s, and lived in Seoul, Korea, where she played in a mostly female band called BaekMa (“White Horse”). Stephanie returned to Kansas City in the Fall 2015. Brook Worlledge, is a Kansas City native. She is the band’s drummer and she sings and writes songs for the band. Brook is a defender of the proletariat. Brook’s influences range from The B-52s, The Velvet Underground, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Lovergurl guitarist and vocalist, Heather Andrews was born and raised in Rhode Island. The band released multiple singles and two EPs.]

(87.) Black Pumas – Black Pumas / ATO / 2019
[Black Pumas are a funk and soul duo based in Austin, Texas, consisting of singer Eric Burton and guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada. Their work also has strong Latin music influences. The duo received their first Grammy nomination ever for Best New Artist at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. The duo formed in 2017 and released their debut album, Black Pumas, on June 21, 2019. They performed at South by Southwest in 2019 and won a best new band trophy at the 2019 Austin Music Awards. On November 20, 2019, they were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Quesada was a member of Latin funk band Grupo Fantasma when it won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album for the 2010 album El Existential, and when it was previously nominated for the same award in 2008 for Sonidos Gold.]

(88.) Bill Callahan – Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest / Drag City Records / June 14, 2019
[21st release as Bill Callahan or Smog. Bill Callahan (born June 3, 1966) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who has also recorded and performed under the band name Smog. Callahan began working in the lo-fi genre of underground rock, with home-made tape-albums recorded on four track tape recorders. Later he began releasing albums with the label Drag City, to which he remains signed today. Callahan started out as a highly experimental artist, using substandard instruments and recording equipment. His early songs often nearly lacked melodic structure and were clumsily played on poorly tuned guitars, resulting in the dissonant sounds on his self-released cassettes and debut album Sewn to the Sky. Much of his early output was instrumental, a stark contrast to the lyrical focus of his later work. Apparently, he used lo-fi techniques not primarily because of an aesthetic preference but because he didn’t have any other possibility to make music. Once he signed a contract with Drag City, he started to use recording studios and a greater variety of instruments for his records. From 1993 to 2000, Callahan’s recordings grew more and more “professional” sounding, with more instruments, and a higher sound quality. In this period he recorded two albums with the influential producer Jim O’Rourke and Tortoise’s John McEntire, and collaborated with Neil Hagerty. Callahan also worked closely with his then-girlfriend Cynthia Dall in his early career, and they contributed vocals to each other’s albums. After 2000’s Dongs of Sevotion, Callahan began moving back to a slightly simpler instrumentation and recording style, while retaining the more consistent songwriting style he had developed over the years. This shift is apparent in albums such as Rain on Lens, Supper, and A River Ain’t Too Much to Love. Smog’s songs are often based on simple, repetitive structures, consisting of a simple chord progression repeated for the duration of the entire song. His singing is characterized by his baritone voice. Melodically and lyrically he tends to eschew the verse-chorus approach favoured by many contemporary songwriters, preferring instead a more free-form approach relying less on melodic and lyrical repetition. Themes in Callahan’s lyrics include relationships, animals, relocation, nature, and more recently, politics. On the subject of voice in his albums, Callahan has said, “It’s usually one character per record. So, the character appears in all or most of the songs on one record and then is gone. Though it makes me feel weird to talk about. Because I don’t really think in clear terms of characters. My albums as a whole could be seen as one character with many voices.” His generally dispassionate delivery of lyrics and dark irony often obfuscate complex emotional and lyrical twists and turns. Critics have generally characterized his music as depressing and intensely introverted, with one critic describing it as “a peep-show view into an insular world of alienation.” Cat Power (Chan Marshall) recorded Callahan’s song “Bathysphere” on her 1996 album What Would the Community Think and also covered another Callahan song, “Red Apples”, on her Covers Record, released in 2000. In 2007, Callahan released Woke on a Whaleheart, his first solo album released under his own name, Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle followed in April, 2009. Both recordings were released through Drag City, worldwide. In 2009, Callahan contributed cover songs on four separate tribute albums to Judee Sill, Kath Bloom, Chris Knox, and Merge Records. In 2010, he released his first live album Rough Travel for a Rare Thing, which was recorded in 2007 at The Toff in Melbourne, Australia. Apocalypse, was released in April 2011 to favorable reviews. Critic Sasha Frere-Jones called it “my favorite of Callahan’s albums, not because it has better songs—those are scattered among at least five others — but because it does exactly what he wants it to do: it conveys an album’s coherence.” A tour film chronicling Callahan’s 2011 Apocalypse tour was released in 2012.][Bill Callahan plays the Lawrence Public Library Lawn, Friday, July 5, at 7:00 PM at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St, Lawrence, KS with special guest Heidi Lynne Gluck.]

(89.) Rina Mushonga – In a Galaxy / Rina Mushonga / February 15, 2019
[Rina Mushonga was born in India and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe. She attended college in the Netherlands and eventually moved to Peckham, in London, where her music career ignited. As a child she learned to play guitar and piano and began writing her own songs. She names her influences as Paul Simon, Oliver Mtukudzi, Nina Simone, and Fleetwood Mac. She started out by playing at open-mike nights in Harare. Her 2014 debut, The Wild, The Wilderness, was recorded while she was living in the Netherlands and released on Sony Music. The album contained a folk/rock-influenced sound in the vein of her early influences, but Mushonga was unsatisfied, feeling she was unable to express her authentic self. It was only after she moved to Peckham, a multiculturally rich neighborhood of London, that she felt more at home and able to explore her African heritage in music. The resulting album took five years, as she juggled making music with working and caring for her young daughter. She made a demo with Frans Verburg in Rotterdam, recorded with Brett Shaw at his studio in Peckham, and eventually released “In a Galaxy” on PIAS in 2019. The album has a rich, kaleidoscopic sound incorporating elements of Afro-pop, indie, and electro into a catchy yet experimental whole. ~ John D. Buchanan, Rovi]

(90.) Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? / Darkroom Interscope Records / March 29, 2019
[17 year old singer songwriter Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell was born December 18, 2001, and is known professionally as Billie Eilish. She was raised in Highland Park, Los Angeles to actress-musician-screenwriter Maggie Baird & Patrick O’Connell. Billie joined the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus at 8. At age 11, she began writing and singing her own songs, following her brother Finneas O’Connell, known as Finneas, an actor, musician, & producer, known for his role as Alistair in the Fox TV series Glee. Finneas was already performing his own songs with his band. In October 2015, when she was 13, Billie recorded the song “Ocean Eyes”, initially written by Finneas for his band, and sent it to her dance teacher, who hoped to choreograph a dance to it. Billie Eilish released “Ocean Eyes” on SoundCloud in 2016. A music video was released on (4/24/16), and a video of Eilish performing a dance to the song was released (11/22/16). “Ocean Eyes”, racked up over 35 million streams on Spotify. It was rereleased worldwide through Darkroom-Interscope (11/18/16). She released the singles: “Six Feet Under” (2/3/17), “Bellyache” (5/5/17) followed by her debut EP, Don’t Smile at Me (8/11/17) followed by more singles and remixes: “Bored,” “Watch,” “Copycat,” “Idontwannabeyouanymore,” “My Boy,” and “Don’t Smile at Me” (8/12/17). Billie collaborated with American rapper Vince Staples for a remix of “Watch” titled “&Burn.” For 2018 Record Store Day, Billie will release a 7″ vinyl acoustic version of “Party Favor” & acoustic version of “Hotline Bling” by Drake.]

(91.) Vedettes – EPHEMERAL (EP) / Vedettes / March 1, 2019
[Five studio-recorded and mastered tunes, recorded and mixed by Paul Malinowski from May to December 2018 at Massive Sound in Shawnee, Kansas.This Lawrence, Kansas based 4-piece band was formed in 2015 with Heather Lofflin on lead vocals & guitar; Lizz Weiler on bass, & backup vocals; Ben White on lead guitar & backup vocals. More informatin at: http://www.vedettes.com]

(92.) Ivy Roots – Love Art Growth (EP) / Ivy Roots Music / June 5, 2019
[New EP release from natie KC singer songwriter, who plays piano & guitar, and produces beats. This is a follow up to her 2016 full-length debut “Bad Intuition” released April 14, 2016. Ivy Roots has a style that ranges from R & B, Neo Soul, Hip Hop, Acoustic, & Pop. She has performed at Lincoln Center in NYC, Crossroads Music Fest, and with film & performance. Written & produced by Ivy. Info: http://www.itsjustivy.com]

(93.) Angel Olsen – All Mirrors / Jagjaguwar / October 4, 2019
[4th album from Angel Olsen who was born January 22, 1987. She is an American singer-songwriter and musician from St. Louis, Missouri who currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina. At age three, Olsen was adopted by a foster family that had cared for her since shortly after her birth. The difference in years between her and her parents left an impression. “Because there are so many decades of difference between us, I became more interested in what their childhood was like,” she says of her parents, both of whom still live in St. Louis. “I fantasized about what it was like to be young in the ’30s and ’50s, more so than other kids my age.” Olsen explained that “my mother just has this capacity for children.” Despite early adolescent aspirations to be a “pop star”, her interests later shifted in high school. Olsen became more introverted, regularly attending punk rock and noise music shows at the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center and the Creepy Crawl as well as Christian rock shows throughout the city. She began learning the piano and guitar and writing her own music. Two years after graduating from Tower Grove Christian High School, Olsen moved to Chicago.After releasing her first EP, Strange Cacti, and a debut album, Half Way Home, on Bathetic Records, Olsen signed with Jagjaguwar, ahead of her first full-band record, Burn Your Fire for No Witness, which was released on February 17, 2014. Olsen’s third full-length album, My Woman, was released on September 2, 2016. In addition to her work with Bonnie “Prince” Billy and The Cairo Gang, Olsen has collaborated with a number of other notable figures of American indie rock, including Tim Kinsella of Cap’n Jazz, LeRoy Bach of Wilco and Cass McCombs. Her collaboration with Kinsella and Bach, as well as with Chicago poet Marvin Tate, resulted in the album Tim Kinsella Sings the Songs of Marvin Tate by Leroy Bach Featuring Angel Olsen which the group released on Indianapolis label Joyful Noise Recordings on December 3, 2013. Her song “Windows” was featured in the final episode of the Netflix original series 13 Reasons Why.]

(94.) Keaton Conrad – Nova / Keaton Conrad / February 1, 2019
[Keaton Conrad is a recording artist from Kansas City. He has been regarded as “exceptionally promising” (The Kansas City Star) and “making things happen on stages …with an engaging voice and passion for creating good music” (Ink Magazine). In 2015, Keaton Conrad released his debut EP, Panic & Blame, which contained five original songs that were heavily inspired by the pop rock sound he grew up on. His first full-length album, Waves, followed in January 2017 which ranged in style from pop rock to hip-hop to ambient. Conrad spent 2 years as the lead singer & keyboardist in the cover band ChangeUp, performing around KC.]

(95.) Dan Jones and The Squids – We Live In A World That Is Out Of This World / DJ&tS / December 6, 2019
[Recorded at Temple Sounds in KCMO, 2018-2019. Engineered. by JB Moreland. Produced by Dan Jones and The Squids and JB Moreland. Mastered by Tom Nunes at Atomic Disc. With Dan Jones on acoustic & electric guitars, keyboard, lead vocals + drums/bass on “Love/Life”; Matt Ronan on drums, percussion, vocals; Alex Alexander on electric guitar, vocals; Steve Tulipana on bass, vocals; Joey Slab on poem and spiel on “Beach, Please”; Scot Sperry on electric slide guitar on “Love/Life”; Donna Jones on lyrics to “The Violet Man.”]

(96.) Lincoln Marshall – Wisdom / Datura Records / October 18, 2017
[Written By: Milkdrop & Approach. Produced, Sequenced, Recorded, Mixed & Mastered By: Aikido Bray. Additional keyboards & atmosphere by Asterales, guitar by Ross Williams, horns by Miles Bonny, live drums & percussion by Aikido Bray. Artwork, Photography & Layout Design By: The Art My Life Imitates.]

(97.) Giants Chair – Prefabylon / Spartan Records / December 6, 2019
[Third album from Giants Chair who are: Scott Hobart on lead vocals & guitar, Byron Collum on bass, and Paul Ackerman on drums. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab, KCMO. Scott and Byron met at the KC Art Institute in 1989. After college they moved to Collum’s hometown of Green Bay, and formed Giant’s Chair in 1993. The band moved back to Kansas City became part of the burgeoning, mid-90’s KC rock scene, sharing bills with Germbox, Season To Risk, Molly McGuire and Shiner. Shiner even named one of their songs after the band. After being signed to Caulfield Records out of Lincoln NE. on the strength of their debut 7″ single, Giant’s Chair recorded two full-length albums and toured the U.S. twice. Giant’s Chair ended in 1997 but have recently been working on new music. In 2017 they releases the singles “The Streets” and “Featureless Horizon”.]

(98.) Bedouine – Bird Songs of a Killjoy / Spacebomb / June 21, 2019
[2nd full-length album from Bedouine, aka Azniv Korkejian, a Syrian-American musician. She has lived in a number of cities and countries, including Saudi Arabia, Houston, Syria, and Boston. Bedouine released her first self-titled full-length album in 2017. The record includes sounds from her memories of her grandmother’s home in Syria, specifically on “Summer Cold” and a song written in Armenian “Louise” (which translates to “light and is written as Լոյս in Armenian). In an interview with Sound of Boston, Korkejian discussed writing the song in Western Armenian, the dialect her family speaks: “I was pretty shy about it because, like I said, my Armenian is kind of broken. But, I ran it by my cousin and kind of had his green light, and I got to a point where I just thought, even if it’s not perfect it’s okay because it’s still my experience.”]

(99.) Helkat – HelKat (EP) / Helkat / December 8, 2019
[1st single form debut 5-song EP from Kansas City based Post apocalyptic lounge punk who play “twangy queer cuddly rock,” with Helen Proctor on lead vocals & guitar, Rozz Petrozz on drums, Olive Cook on guitar and Dylan C.H. on bass. Recording engieered nd matred by Pat Tomek.]

(100.) Jo MacKenzie – Proud (EP) / Jo Mackenzie / November 17, 2018
[Debut EP from Kansas City based 16 year old singer songwriter Jo MacKenzie.]

(101.) Chloe Jacobson – Frozen Fruit / Chloe Jacobson / November 14, 2018
[It has been written that Chloe Jacobson’s “soulful, bluesy vocals are colored with the pop cadence of aughts-era emo.” Chloe’s debut album, “Frozen Fruit” was just released in a show at Mills Record Company.]

(102.) Kadesh Flow – Otaku Moods (EP) / Ryan Davis / January 25, 2019
[Kadesh Flow is Ryan Davis is a rapper with an MBA. At age 11, he began rapping and playing trombone within two weeks of one another. His music has been featured on network television in multiple countries and territories across Southeast Asia. Locally, Kadesh can be found rocking solo hip hop sets, laying down bone bars with KC funk juggernaut The Phantastics, or jamming with Marcus Lewis Big Band.]

(103.) Purple Mountains – Purple Mountains / Drag City Records / July 12, 2019
[Purple Mountains was an American indie rock project formed by musician and poet David Berman. The project debuted in May 2019, over a decade after the dissolution of Berman’s previous group Silver Jews. An eponymous album was released in July 2019. The album was recorded primarily in Chicago and produced by Jarvis Taveniere and Jeremy Earl of the band Woods. The project’s name is a mondegreen of the lyric “Purple mountain majesties” from “America the Beautiful”. The project was presumably dissolved upon Berman’s death on August 7, 2019. Berman returned to music in 2018, co-producing Yonatan Gat’s critically acclaimed album Universalists. On December 12, 2018, former Pavement and Silver Jews member Bob Nastanovich revealed on his podcast Three Songs that David Berman would release new music in 2019 under the name Purple Mountains, which was also the name of Berman’s blog. Although, his blog was also titled Menthol Mountains at times. On May 10, 2019, Berman released his first music in over a decade, a single entitled “All My Happiness Is Gone” on vinyl by Drag City, using the moniker Purple Mountains. The single included two remixes of the song, “All My Happiness Is Wrong” by Noah Count and “All My Happiness Is Long” by Mark Nevers featuring clipped recordings of Dave Cloud, and also indicated that a full-length album was a “couple months away.” It also credited Berman, Jeremy Earl and Jarvis Taveniere of Woods, Aaron Neveu and songwriter Anna St. Louis. The single was released digitally on May 17, 2019 with the announcement of a full-length album. The eponymous debut album, accompanied by a US tour, was released on July 12, 2019. “Darkness and Cold” was released as the album’s second single on June 11, 2019. “Margaritas at the Mall” was released as the album’s third and final single on June 28, 2019. A remix of “All My Happiness Is Gone” by Australian electronic music group The Avalanches, who Berman has collaborated with in the past, was commissioned by him, but a licensing issue prevented their version from being released. A few reviews: David Berman is back from his post-Silver Jews void and moving Purple Mountains onto our fruited cultural plain. His iconic literary lyrics sit astride immaculate country-rock tunes, evoking jukebox-ready disaffection with twists of pathos, comedy and tragedy – an indie poet laureate at false dusk! Stop the world! Purple Mountains’ inaugural voyage launches with a five-alarm weep-rocker – and total self-destruction never sounded so good. Amid sumptuous mellotron strings n’ galloping tom-toms, David Berman’s stone-cold account of middle age’s wild unkindnesses takes on a positively heroic glow.]

(104.) Drugs & Attics – Clean Their Room / High Dive Records / April 19, 2019
[High Dive Records debut from Kansas City based 3-piece premiere party drug rock band.]

(105.) VidCo Kult – Enrollment Opportunities : Tangential Life Trajectories Ensuring Physical and Spiritual Greatness Through the Power of Devotional Subjugation (EP) / Double Double Whammy / March 1, 2019
[VidCo Kult is a musical trio involving Bob Lyons, Tripp Kirby and Keith. They are based in KCMO. Aside from live performances of original material, they mostly argue about comic books and science fiction.]

(106.) HMPH! – HMPH! / Haymaker Records / November 15, 2019
[Ryan Lee Toms on guitar, Jonathan Thatch on drums, Kitten Adventure Boggs on bass. HMPH!’s second album, the self-titled “HMPH!” features their signature math-rock sound with a progressive rock and avant-jazz twist. The songs on HMPH! are more sprawling than on 2015’s Headrush, with lots of detours and left turns along the way. Recorded by the band in their home recording studio, the album had time to evolve, and the complicated arrangements materialized through this process. This album also features heavy basslines provided by Kitten Boggs, a significant addition since their first record. This album is a choose your own adventure of abrupt rhythm changes, dissident chords, or even about-face genre-hops into funk, punk, or samba. “HMPH!” is a different kind of album from a different kind of band.]

(107.) Moon Duo – Stars Are the Light / Sacred Bones / September 27, 2019
[Moon Duo is a psychedelic rock band from San Francisco, California formed in 2009 by Wooden Shjips guitarist Ripley Johnson and Sanae Yamada. Their debut album Mazes was released on Sacred Bones Records in 2011. The band’s style is inspired by psychedelic rock, combining repetitive rhythms and saturated guitars. Their influences include Alan Vega of Suicide, Spacemen 3 and Silver Apples. The band’s seventh full-length album, Stars Are the Light, was released on September 27, 2019.]

(108.) Lionel Limiñana & The Limiñanas – Le Bel Été / Because Music / Nov. 15, 2019
[The Limiñanas are Lionel & Marie Limiñana . They are based in Cabestany, deep south of France. They record garage, psych and pop music. Getting their start in October of 2009, The Limiñanas are the brainchild of Lio and Marie Limiñana.]

(109.) 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.]

(110.) Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising / Sub Pop Records / April 5, 2019
[Weyes Blood is Natalie Mering, born June 11, 1988, in Santa Monica, CA and grew up in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. She has released 4 albums and an EP. Both her siblings and parents are musicians and music played an important part in her upbringing. Her older brother, Zak Mering, is also a noteworthy recording artist, producer and songwriter under the “Raw Thrills” alias. At the age of 15 Mering began using the moniker Wise Blood to write songs. She changed to Weyes Bluhd on several self released records before changing the spelling to Weyes Blood. She took the name from the Flannery O’Connor novel Wise Blood. At the same time, while working on her own material, she toured the underground music scene with bands Jackie-O Motherfucker and Nautical Almanac. In 2011 she released the album The Outside Room as Weyes Blood And The Dark Juices on Not Not Fun Records. Uncut magazine described the album as “the vibe is devotional and ethereal, but with an edge”, while Beatbots found it “an impressive and ambitious album”. Natalie released her second record in October 2014 called The Innocents, which was released through Mexican Summer. In 2016 she released the album Front Row Seat to Earth on Mexican Summer to great acclaim throughout the music industry, and has spent the past few years touring throughout Europe and the states.]

(111.) Dylan Pyles – 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 joined us on September 25, 2019, to share music and details on his new 20 track album, Popular Songs for the Heart, released September 20, 2019 digitally and on cassette through Manor Records. Dylan also released the 6 song EP, Solo Acoustic Guitar Vol. 1, on September 20, 2019. In December 2018 Dylan Pyles released the 19 track, experimental release, You Have a Problem but You Are Not a Problem. More info at: http://www.dylanpyles.bandcamp.com.]

(112.) anothermaxwell – Being (EP) / anothermaxwell / June 30, 2019
[Written & Performed, Produced, Engineered, Mixed, and Cover art created by by anothermaxwell. anothermaxwell, is Shenita Hughley who studied music at Avila Collegei and graduated from Raytown South High School in 2012. anothermaxwell is a versatile singer-songwriter & producer, who reinvents new sounds by bending R&B, Pop, Funk and Electronica, genres to form a unique sound not easily categorized.]

(113.) Nilüfer Yanya – Miss Universe / ATO Records / March 22, 2019
[Debut album from British musical artist, Nilüfer Yanya who was born in 1996, the daughter of two visual artists. Yanya grew up in Chelsea, London. Growing up with her father’s Turkish music and her mother’s classical music playing at home, she soon gravitated to guitar rock and learned how to play the instrument at age 12. Informally starting her musical career with demos uploaded to SoundCloud in 2014, she turned down an offer to join a girl group produced by Louis Tomlinson of One Direction and focused on developing her own music instead. Her first EP, “Small Crimes/Keep on Calling”, was released in 2016. Her second EP, “Plant Feed”, was released in 2017, followed by “Do You Like Pain?” in 2018. Miss Universe has received wide critical acclaim, with critics noting her ability to bounce back and forth between musical and lyrical styles, shifting between “gimlet-eyed composure and cataclysmic panic”. Yanya’s music has been described as nervous and restless, combining influences from indie rock to soul, jazz, and trip hop. A Stereogum review called her voice “malleable and endlessly expressive.]

(114.) Shawn Stewart – Radio / Shawn Stewart / October 23, 2019
[Radio was recorded by Pat Tomek, Mike Moreland, and Rob Nold, with mixing, mastering, and engineering performed by Pat Tomek. Drums and most percussion- was by Pat Tomek. All songs, 2019, “Hear You” Music. Shawn Stewart started playing music in Kansas City after he moved here from Chicago in 1991. His band, “Tin Roof Echo” played venues around town through 1993 when he retired to the suburbs to raise a family as a “stay at home dad.” In 2014, after his kids were grown, he moved midtown to pick up where he left off. He released four albums under the moniker, “JohnnySuperColossal”. In September he’s taking his trailer to Nashville for three months then to Los Angeles for three months to pursue music publishers and radio.]

(115.) Sharon Van Etten – Remind Me Tomorrow / Jagjaguary / January 18, 2019
[5th studio album from Sharon Van Etten (born February 26, 1981 in Belleville, New Jersey and lived in Nutley, NJ before moving to Clinton as a pre-teen. Later, she moved to Tennessee to attend Middle Tennessee State University and studied recording, but dropped out of college after a year. Van Etten ended up working at the Red Rose, a coffee and record shop and music venue in Murfreesboro, for about five years. In 2004, she moved back to New Jersey, where she worked at Perryville Wine and Spirits. Van Etten moved to New York City in 2005. Van Etten self-released handmade CDs until 2009, when her debut studio recording was released. Before her studio debut, she worked at Astor Wines and as a publicist at Ba Da Bing Records. Van Etten’s debut, Because I Was in Love, was released on May 26, 2009, on Language of Stone, and was manufactured and distributed by Drag City. This is her third album from Jagjaguar]

(116.) The Bad Ideas – Happiness / The Bad Ideas / March 30, 2019
[The Bad Ideas are: Britt Adair on guitar, Breaka Dawn on vocals, Matt Roberts on bass, and Way Jillis on drums. The Bad Ideas is an American punk band from Kansas City, Missouri formed in August 2011. They’ve written all original songs and are influenced by post-hardcore, punk, and early 80’s punk. Their EP, Worse Thoughts, was recorded on January 22, 2012 and released March, 2012. Their first self-produced full length, Lesson #1 was released March 8, 2013. The Bad Ideas also released a 7″ split with Red Kate on March 31, 2014. Their most recent release is a full length cassette, “Leave Me Alone.” Released in June 6, 2015.]

(117.) Sinkane – Dépaysé / City Slang / May 31, 2019
[7th Album from Sinkane (born Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab in London, England in 1983. He is a Sudanese-American musician who blends krautrock, prog rock, electronica, free jazz and funk rock with Sudanese pop. Born to college professors in London, he lived in Sudan, then moved to the US when he was five, and lived for some time in Ohio. Prior to embarking on his solo career, he worked with Eleanor Friedberger, Caribou, of Montreal, Born Ruffians, and Yeasayer as a session musician. Ahmed Gallab is the vocalist and music director of the Atomic Bomb! Band which plays the music of Nigerian funk musician William Onyeabor. The group includes David Byrne (of Talking Heads), Money Mark (of the Beastie Boys), Damon Albarn (of Blur and Gorillaz), Dev Hynes (aka Blood Orange and Lightspeed Champion), Alexis Taylor (of Hot Chip), Charles Lloyd, Amadou and Mariam, Jamie Lidell, Pharoah Sanders, Joshua Redman, among many many others.]

(118.) Y La Bamba – Mujeres / Tender Loving Empire / February 8, 2019
[Mujeres is “Woman Island” in the Gulf of Mexico. Y La Bamba has been many things, but at the heart of it is singer-songwriter Luz Elena Mendoza’s inquisitive sense of self. Their fifth record, Mujeres, carries on the Portland-based band’s affinity for spiritual contemplation, but goes a step further in telling a story with a full emotional spectrum. Coming off Ojos Del Sol, one of NPR’s Top 50 Albums of 2016, Mujeres exhibits the scope of Mendoza’s artistic voice like never before. “Soy como soy,” Mendoza says, and that declaration is the bold— even political— statement that positions Mujeres to be Y La Bamba’s most unbridled offering yet.]

(119.) Tituss Burgess – Saint Tituss (EP) / Tituss Ink / July 26, 2019
[Tituss Burgess was born February 21, 1979. He is an American actor and singer. He has appeared in numerous Broadway musicals. He is best known for starring as Titus Andromedon on the Netflix comedy series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015–2019), for which he has received four consecutive Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series nominations. Born and raised in Athens, Georgia, he attended Cedar Shoals High School where he was active in the theatre program. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in music. He is openly gay. Burgess made his Broadway debut in the musical Good Vibrations as Eddie in 2005, and then appeared in Jersey Boys in 2005 as Hal Miller. He originated the role of “Sebastian the Crab” in the musical The Little Mermaid in 2007 and went on to the role of Nicely-Nicely Johnson, traditionally played by a white actor, in the revival of Guys and Dolls in 2009. He has also performed in several regional theater productions, including The Wiz and Jesus Christ Superstar. Burgess performed at the “Broadway for Obama” benefit concert held at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Easton, Pennsylvania on October 20, 2008. He appeared in Season 5 of 30 Rock as D’Fwan, a member of Tracy Jordan’s wife’s entourage. He reprised the role in Season 6. “45” is the first track off Burgess’ first album in seven years, Saint Tituss. Described by the artist as his “deepest and most soul-searching” work to date. He told them.us “… given the political climate, I think it’s time to speak out. I fear for our country. I fear for how our country treats its citizens and I fear for how our citizens treat each other. It’s a larger problem than just legislation. I didn’t know how to respond, so I just started with art.”]

Wednesday MidDay Medley’s 39 Favorite Singles of 2019

1. NuBlvckCity – “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, Rep. Brandon Ellington, Mayor Sly James. He is co-owner of The Rap Asylum, We are RAP, and owner of Melanin Connoisseur.]

2. The Freedom Affair – “Rise Up” / Colemine / June 21, 2019 [7″ Vinyl]
[The Freedom Affair is a project of Chris Hazelton of Sunflower Soul Records and Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7. The band includes members of the Boogaloo 7 with members of Instant Karma and three of the KC area’s leading vocalists. 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. 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!”]

3. Shy Boys – “Dim The Light”/”Brick By Brick” / Polyvinyl / Feb. 15, 2019
[Single release follow up to band’s 2nd album and Polyvinyl debut, Bell House. Shy Boys line-up consists of brothers Collin Rausch and Kyle Rausch, Konnor Ervin, Kyle Little and Ross Brown. Kyle Rausch and Konnor Ervin were already band mates in the indie-pop band The ACBs and Collin had been playing for years in the Kansas City area in various bands. The three shared a love for 1960s era pop rock and soon started writing their own music. In 2014 they released the self-titled Shy Boys on High Dive Records. The album received generally positive reviews and the single “Bully Fight” was featured on Spin.com. In June 2014 the band recorded and released two more singles and one of them, “Life Is Peachy,” was featured on Stereogum. On April 4th, 2018, it was announced that the band had signed to Polyvinyl Record Co.]

4. The Philistines – “Further” / The Philistines / March 15, 2019
[New music from The Philistines, that will be part of the upcoming album Dysnomia. Produced and engineered by paul Malinowski at Massive Sound Studios. The Philistines are a Kansas City based rock band with a psychedelic bent, made up of: Kimmie Queen on lead vocals; Cody Wyoming on lead guitar & vocals; Rod Peal on guitar; Josh Mobley on keyboard, Steve Gardels on drums, and Barry Kidd on bass.]

5. Broken Heart Syndrome – “Dolly (and other unfinished business)” /BHS/ 9-13-19
[Kansas City based 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.”]

6. Brandon Phillips & The Condition – “Angel Say No” / “People Talk” / Too Much Rock / April 13, 2019
[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 that includes: Adam Phillips, Zachary Phillips, Brent Kastler, Julie Berndsen along with other musicians from other bands. The B-side of this vinyl-only, limited-run record is a hand selected cover of Tommy Tutone’s “Angel Say No”– as near a perfect power-pop deep-cut as one is likely to find in even the dustiest record bin in it’s original version, here re-amplified by a crack rhythm section and wedded to the Ronettes-worshiping vocal style for which BP+C are known. Too Much Rock, is a music site created by Sid Sowder in 1997, to share his original photographs, video, and commentary, of the live music shows he attends. Too Much Rock also hosts a musical podcast. Several years ago Sid Sowder created the Too Much Rock – Singles Series, a collection of 45 rpm 7″ singles, featuring an original song from a band, with a cover song, chosen by Too Much Rock. 500 limited edition copies are pressed by Too Much Rock and given to the band. Kansas City based bands, Schwervon!, Rev Gusto, Josh Berwanger Band, The Uncouth, Hipshot Killer, Witch Jail, Red Kate, and Heidi Lynn Gluck have all recorded for the Too Much Rock Single Series. http://www.TooMuchRock.com ]

7. The Moose – “Through The Rainbow”/”Bell-Bottom Trees” / The Moose / 11-10-19
[The Moose is an alternative band from Lee’s Summit, formed in 2016 by Jake Hilger, Alex Huffman, and Tyler Frey with Emma Klein and Parker Tozier joining in 2016. The Moose released their debut full length album, The First Real Encounter, on Dec. 21, 2018. The Moose joined us LIVE on WMM on July 10, 2019.]

8. Claire Adams – “Better Luck” / Claire Adams / September 20, 2019
[Musically curious and multifaceted, Claire Adams has spent more than a decade touring, recording and songwriting to hone her melodic instincts and vision. A bassist, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Adams has lent a discerning ear and versatility to a number of projects. 2019 finds Adams collaborating with the KC based string quartet Rewound, jazz pianist Alyssa Murray & drummer Fritz Hutchinson. Recorded at The Blue House in Kansas City, MO. Additional tracking at MARZ Studios in Nederland, TX. Mixed & mastered at Weights + Measures Soundlab in KCMO. Written by Claire Adams, with Claire Adams on guitars, bass, and vocals; Alyssa Murray on keyboards & vocals; and Fritz Hutchison on drums & vocals.]

9. Black Stacey – “Lose The Peace” / Sharaden Staten / May 16, 2019
[This song will be included in Black Stacey’s upcoming EP, “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.]

10. Serene Fiend – “Unto Myself” / Vitality Records / July 10, 2019
[Industrial pop-rock project from Lawrence, Kansas based Joel Bonner. All instruments programmed and performed by Joel Bonner. Synth solo programmed and performed by Daniel Glascock. Written, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Joel Bonner.]

Special Note: Every year we carry over a single that was released so late in the previous year that we may have missed it in our playlists. This year we carried over a song from last year’s “Best Singles List.” We did this as a tribute to one of our favorite area groups Lovergurl that disbanded in September 2019 after the trio announced that their guitarist and vocalist, Heather Andrews was moving out of Kansas City to pursue her career in animation. We love this band, and their music, and the spirit of protest that is righteously infused into all of their songs. We want more bands like this band, especially during these absolutely crazy times we a living through. Look for Lovergurl’s last recording, their EP “Buzzkill” in WMM’s 119 Best Recordings of 2019 during our 4-week series in December.

11. Lovergurl – “Rebel” / Lovergurl / September 14, 2018
[Recorded and mastered with RLT at Audibly Recording. KC based 4-piece band, Lovergurl caught our ear with their synth pop sound and lyrics reflecting social and political messages with hip hop and punk elements. The trio released their EP, The President is a Sex Offender on May 19, 2017. Keyboardist and vocalist, Stephanie Bankston was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She is a graduate of The University of Missouri. She moved abroad in her 20s, and lived in Seoul, Korea, where she played in a mostly female band called BaekMa (“White Horse”). Stephanie returned to Kansas City in the Fall 2015. Brook Worlledge, is a Kansas City native. She is the band’s drummer and she sings and writes songs for the band. Brook is a defender of the proletariat. Brook’s influences range from The B-52s, The Velvet Underground, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Lovergurl guitarist and vocalist, Heather Andrews was born and raised in Rhode Island.]

12. No Such Beast – “Drifter” / No Such Beast / June 17, 2019
[Debut single from KC based Indie Folk 5-piece with strings of bass, violin, banjo, guitar, & cello from: Abby Atwood, Adriana Williamson, Colton Pittman, & Olivia Atwood, and lead vocals from Issac Walker.]

13. Kat King – “Song From Spain” / Kat King / February 9, 2019
[Lawrence Kansas based singer songwriter Kat King released her last single “2017” October 18, 2018. She released her 5-song EP “Falling Up” on December 1, 2017. Kat King has been creating music since the 2nd grade. She’s produced one 13-song album and three EP’s, the first one released at the age of 14. ]

14. The Fey – “Lost in My Head” / The Record Machine / August 2, 2019
[New single and follow to 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]

15. Mild Cats – “Keep The Cat Out of The Fire”/”Conversation”/ Mild Cats/ 2-14-19
[Recorded at Parrot Ice Studios, The Tinsel Room, and a secret attic no one can ever know about. Patrick Keizer on guitar & vocals & keyboards, Christina Silvius on viola, Wade Conyers on bass, Quinn Hernandez on drums, Davy Langerak on percussion, and Josiah Hunter on guitar.]

16. Pala Zolo – “Up Northern” / 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.]

17. Jake Wells – “Wanted To Love You” / Sound 81 Productions / May 18, 2019
[Kansas City based indie folk singer songwriter. Jake Wells was born in Florida grew up in Colorado. Jake studied Music Composition at University of Northern Colorado. “Jake’s sound evokes an emotionality and maturity much deeper than his age of 22 would imply.” He was named one of Spotify’s top 20. He has performed on stages since he was a teenager. His single releases are currently gaining radio play in the Midwest on several FM stations.]

18. Middlechild – “October 31st” / Oakwood Records / May 24, 2019
[Middlechild is the debut single from Kansas City, Missouri singer Middlechild, which is the Danzell Capers, formerly in the band Brother, who released a single called “Mobbin” that was included in a very fine compilation release series from our friends at The Record Machine called “How To Keep Dreaming: Vol. III,(2016), featuring 28 tracks from bands and artists from the KC, Lawrence, and surrounding areas.]

19. Me Like Bees – “Heartbeats”/ Me Like Bees / August 2, 2019
[Formed in Joplin in 2009 by Luke Sheafer, Nick Bynum, Pete Burton, Tim Cote. In 2015 after completing a leg in Van’s Warped Tour, Me Like Bees finished their new EP with award-winning producer, John Feldmann (Five Seconds of Summer, The Used, Panic! at the Disco, Goldfinger, Good Charlotte, Plain White T’s)]

20. Nick Carswell – “The Wave (A Reckoning)” / Silly Goose / May 7, 2019
[The featured single from “Changing Shades”, a solo project by Nick Carswell.
All music & lyrics by Nick Carswell. Produced by Nick Carswell. Additional mixing by Jason Slote. Songwriter Nick Carswell is originally from Limerick, Ireland, Nick Carswell has been living in Lawrence, KS since 2011. He formed Carswell & Hope in late 2012. The band released their debut album in 2014, coinciding with a two week Irish tour. Nick also plays bass in the electro-pop band Pink Royal and is the force behind Silly Goose Records and the annual MixMaster music conference, now part of the Crossroads Music Festival. Nick Carswell joined us on May 8, 2019 to share details about Changing Shades – Stories of Migration, Confusion & Belonging told in Image & Song in a solo performance of 10 songs, accompanied by lighting, projection and stage design, Friday, May 10, at The Irish Center of KC, 19 West Linwood Blvd. AND Saturday, May 11, at Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St., Lawrence, KS. More info at http://www.changingshades.com.]

21. Momma’s Boy – “Sugar” / Manor Records / May 3, 2019
[Recorded and mixed by Ross Brown of Shy Boys/Fullbloods and mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering. The song features Peter Beatty on lead vocals and lyric writing. Momma’s Boy hails from Kansas City, based band with Quinn Hernandez on the drums, Jared Bajkowski on bass, Peter Beatty’ on guitar, Shaun Crowley on guitar. The band also features three singers, as Peter, Shaun and Jared rotate on lead vocals.]

22. The Dear Misses – “Kansas City” / The Dear Misses / February 25, 2019
[Kansas City based 4-piece band made up of: Todd Anderson on lead vocals & rhythm guitar, Cody Stapleton on lead guitar & backing vocals, Bret Collins on drums, and Shane Berggren on bass. The band is currently in the studio recording songs for their upcoming release. More information at: http://www.reverbnation.com/thedearmisses%5D

23. Stephonne Singleton – “Want Me” / Glory Blue Music / April 26, 2019
[Co-produced by, Justin Mantooth, and recorded at Westend Recording Studios. Johnny Hamil on bass, Ben Byard on guitar and Adam McKee on drums. Stephonne grew up in KCK. He released his debut album, “Caged Bird Sings Songs About Red Beard.” The album was one of WMM’s 118 Best Recordings of 2018. Stephonne was born and raised in Wyandotte County, Kansas. He has performed in multiple shows for Late Night Theatre. Stephonne told John Long of Camp Magazine “I was surrounded by records, and my parents always had music on.” He expects to move more toward releasing singles rather than entire albums.]

24. Instant Karma – “Tell Me That You Love Me” / Instant Karma / June 22, 2019
[Instant Karma features Cole Bales on vocals & guitar, Cody Calhoun on guitar, Branden Moser on bass, Zach Harris on drums. With Caitlin Walker and Grace Sakoulas Griffin-Spain on Background Vocals. Instant Karma will play their last live show on Saturday, June 22, at recordBar, for SoundMachineKC with Pink Royal, and The Maytags. More info at: http://www.instantkarmakc.com]

25. Scott Hrabko & The Rabbits – “Pretty Good Day” / Scott Hrabko / 11-3-19
[Scott Hrabko’s new single, available online Nov. 3. For this single the Rabbits were Jason Beers, Gary Paredes and Havilah Bruders. On Febrary 14, 2019 Scott Hrabko released the EP Smash Hits From A Parallel Universe 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 Hrako & The Rabbits released “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.]

26. Carswell & Hope – “On My Way” / Silly Goose Records / October 25, 2019
[New song from band with a new video. Last year on May 22, 2018 Carswell & Hope released the critically acclaimed EP Exit Plan with music by Carswell & Hope. Lyrics by Nick Carswell. Produced & mixed by Jason Slote & Nick Carswell. Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper @ TurtleTone Studio NYC. Lawrence KS based 5-piece band formed June 25, 2012. The band is: Nick Carswell, Jason Slote, Austin Quick, Chris Handley, and Jordan Tucker. Songwriter Nick Carswell is originally from Limerick, Ireland and has found a new home on the plains of Kansas. Nick has been living in Lawrence, KS since 2011. He formed Carswell & Hope in late 2012. The band released their debut album in 2014, coinciding with a two week Irish tour. Nick also plays bass in the electro-pop band Pink Royal and is the force behind Silly Goose Records and the annual MixMaster music conference, now part of the Crossroads Music Festival.]

27. Oxford Remedy – “Vending Machine” / Oxford Remedy / January 12, 2019
[Lawrence/KC 3-piece band formed in June 2016. Members include: Sydney Aldridge, Kate McKown, and Grace McKown. More indo at http://www.oxfordremedy.com]

28. Jean Claude and the Eclairs – “Glasgow.” /Jean Claude and the Eclairs/ 4-4-19
[Alternative Pop/Rock trio based in Lawrence, KS formed by Cooper Scott, Garrison Krotz and Quinn Maetzold in June of 2016.]

29. Thighmaster – “Aerobicise” / High Dive Records / August 9, 2019
[Debut single from Thighmaster a Lawrence, Kansas based band formed by Maxfield Yoder (formerly of the bands: Dean Monkey & the Dropouts, Plains) on guitar & vocals, Max Lock on vocals, Max Smith on tambourine & vocals, Esteban Gomez –on bass, Jennifer Graham on drums, and Jake Little on guitar.Thighmaster recently signed with KC based label High Dive Records. The band is resurrecting the song-writing demons that have long haunted Mayfield Yoder. Thighmaster truly is garage pop for cool grandparents. Now you too can have shapely thighs in minutes a day. “Aerobicise” was Tracked, Mixed and Mastered by Ross Williams and written by Thighmaster.]

30. Bad Alaskan – “Strange Fruit” / Bad Alaskan / August 17, 2019
[Bad Alaskan is Lawrence, Kansas based musician, scientist, researcher, speaker, activist, teacher, Alex Kimball Williams who also plays in the band UltraVivid. Bad Alaskan writes: “This cover of ‘Strange Fruit’ is the perfect blend of old school & new school; direct reference & innovation; the blues & electronic. I’ve always loved the song & wanted to put my own indigenous spin on it. My classical & jazz training leaks through with solos & alterations to the lead melody. The 1939 recording featuring Billie Holiday’s vocals is my favorite cut of this classic. My variation alters the melody to fit a minor blues scale. The key is raised just slightly to stimulate discomfort, the tempo is more upbeat. Originally when she sang the song, it was always the end of her set, staff in the venue was instructed not to make any transactions. She would sing the song with eyes closed. Due to that devotional, prayer-like feel, I begin my sets with this song if I’m going to include it. I read somewhere that this song reminded her of her father. It lines up with my thoughts on my own ancestors, from what would have been his time. Instruments used are Korg Minilogue, Microkorg (vocoding) & Novation circuit. I always record all my parts at once (no over-dubbing), so please enjoy the “fruits” of my labor! Audio engineer: Ross Williams.]

31. Remy Styrk – “Winter/Summer” / Remy Sryrk / February 28, 2019
[20 year old Remy Stryk lives in Leawood Kansas. Originally from Newark, New Jersey. This multi instrumentalist has been writing & recording music for several years. About this new single Remy tells us “It represents the two major seasons and personifies them to create a feeling of trust, anger, love, uncertainty, inspiration and comfort. I wanted them to be applicable to many people’s situations in life, no matter who they are or what they believe in. This song is about universal feelings that connect us as one and value our ability to feel and express.” Last year Remy released “In Too Deep” one of 5 singles Remy has released in the last 2 years. Remy Styrk released the EP Sunday, on Jan 25, 2018 a follow up to the Aug 12, 2015 full length album, Telling Stories Through The Basement Door.]

32. LyMerrick – “Lay Me Down” / nightSHIFT Radio / February 8, 2019
[One of three singles released by LyMerrick this year. LyMwrrick released six singles last years and was a featured voice on two other songle releases. LyMerrick also released a songle in 2016. LyMerrick was born in North Carolina but grew up in Kansas City, MO since the age of 8. LyMrrick 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”.]

33. Akkilles- “By Myself” / David Bennett / November 1, 2019
[Akkilles is the music project of David Bennett. I make music under Akkilles. He also helps other people make music. For this recording: David Bennett on guitars, David Bennett & Ian Thompson on keyboards, David Bennetton bass, David Bennett on synthesizer, David Bennett on vocals, Bryan Koehler on drums. Mixed and edited by David Bennett. Mastered by Dedric Moore. Artwork by Matt Schmitz. Recorded at: Aorist Studios in Kansas City. This one of three single Akkilles has released this year. “Meet in the Middle” was released October 25, 2019. “Feelin’ My Self” was released February 1, 2019. Akkilles released the critically acclaimed debut record “Something You’d Say” on July 2, 2013.]

34. Soultru – “Must Be” / The Record Machine / August 24, 2019
[Drums and Piano by Kierstyn Graham, 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.]

35. Shah – “Wanna Be” / SHAH / May 20, 2018
[19 year-old, singer, songwriter & dancer from Lawrence, KS. Influenced by Chris Brown, Justin Bieber and Kehlani. From a young age SHAH’s been drawn to the stage, modeling, acting, & performing in competitive talent shows. SHAH introduces bold experiments of sounds & lyrics while merging modern-day Pop with nostalgic bits of early 2000’s R&B. SHAH is passionate about addressing stereotypical views of black male artists & hyper-masculinity. He hopes to drive a more compassionate & accepting society by way of his unapologetic image & sound. SHAH is currently working in the studio. For more info: http://www.lifeofshah.com.]

36. Russell Brixey – “Midnight Swim (Feat. Lauren Flynn) /R. Brixey/ 7-30-19
[Russell Brixey is the musical solo project of Ryan Wallace. Ryan Wallace has played with many groups over the years: Heroes and Villains, The Republic Tigers, and JAENKI. This is his first solo single “Midnight Swim” and features the vocals of Lauren Flynn from the band Olivia Fox. Hear Russell Brixey talk about “Midnight Swim” at http://speakimge.com/interview-russell-brixey/%5D

37. Belle & The Vertigo Waves – “Fear or Faith” / Drop Out Records / 6-7-19
[New single from Belle & The Vertigo Waves, the sonic brainchild of Belle Loux. She resides in Kansas City, MO, and is slowly attempting world domination. Members include Belle Loux on lead vocals, Jeremiah Scott on bass, John Loux on guitar. The band’s debut full length album”Aligned” was released on October 6, 2017.]

38. Los Santos Caballeros – “The Chase” / “The Walk” / Sunflower Soul – Groove King / Nov. 8, 2019
[Engineering by Justin Mantooth & Chris Hazelton, Mixing by Chris Hazelton, Branden Moser on guitar, Colby Bales on bass, Zach Dodson on drums, Nick Howell on trumpet, Brett Jackson on saxophone, Chris Hazelton on organ for “Side B”, Pat Conway on congas & Timbales for “Side A”. This is a project that Cole Bales and Branden Moser conceived a couple of years ago. The idea is that the tracks are part of a soundtrack to a fictional film called Chico is the Man that harkens back to the exploitation films of the 70s (i.e. Super fly, Dolemite, Black Caesar). Side A is the chase sequence, side B the introduction to the villain of the story. This is a collaboration between Chris Hazelton’s Sunflower Soul and Groove King Records]

39. Appropriate Grammar – “King Of Silent Sounds” / Never Records / January 7, 2019
[Music and lyrics by Nick McKenna. Arranged by Appropriate Grammar. Engineered, mixed and mastered by Ted Riderer of Never Records – Kansas City, MO. Photo by Anna Selle. Cover design by Claire Adams and Steve Gardels. Appropriate Grammar is a Kansas City based band formed in July 2010 with Nick McKenna on guitar & vocals, Alex Dunsford on lead guitar, Claire Adams on bass & vocals, and Steve Gardels on drums. This recording was a collaboration between Appropriate Grammar, Never Records and Open Spaces KC. Never Records is a mobile record-making lab, using recording equipment and a vinyl record lathe to cut 2, four-minute records on the spot. New York artist and musician Ted Riederer launched Never Records in 2010 as part of a collaborative project with curators No Longer Empty in the former sales floor of Tower Records’ fabled East Village flagship store. One year later, Never Records had expanded to become a mobile record-making lab, using recording equipment and a vinyl record lathe to cut two, four-minute records on the spot for whoever walks in the door (one copy stays behind in the fast-growing library). Never Records opened August 25, 2018 as part of Open Spaces Kansas City, and runs through October 28th, 2018, in a storefront space in the Crossroads district of Kansas City. The space is located at 1611 Oak St., KCMO. The exhibition was open Wednesday – Sunday, with workshops and special events. http://www.neverrecords.net Never Records is a combination recording studio and record shop, all operating in one building. The sole proprietor, interior decorator, and engineer is New York-based artist Ted Riederer. Inspired by his own redemptive education at a young age inside the walls of a local record store in Rockville, Maryland as well as the field recording projects of Alan Lomax, Riederer devised his unique community art installation in the early part of this century and has been replicating it with regional variations throughout the world since 2010. Performers from a locale sign up for recording sessions ahead of time, with no auditions necessary. Riederer usually offers three hour sessions, during which he mixes on the fly and cuts vinyl right in front of the artist’s eyes once both are satisfied with a particular take. The recordings are free to the artist, the sessions are open to the public, and you can’t buy anything you see. Ted hasn’t lowered prices by cutting out the middleman. He is the middleman. He is not a vertical operation; he is an elliptical one, a constant feedback loop supplying its own demand. Still, everyone takes something home, even if it’s the barest speck of record shop camaraderie inadvertently inhaled. Within the walls of the Never Records shop, visitors can view a gallery of photographs and artwork from previous temporary establishments in the US and UK, as well as flip through stacks of vinyl representing the hundreds of solo folk artists, punk bands, storytellers, jazz groups, and noisicians who jumped at the chance for a free recording session. Black wooden bins hold a curated selection of records from the growing collection, but these aren’t for sale or even trade. The artist or band is allowed to take their own copy home, and another is added to Riederer’s archives, as well as a digital copy. Riederer encourages bands to use the recording any way they want. There are no fees, royalties, or ownership issues. Find out more about Never Records: neverrecords.samexhibit.com/pages/about ]

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

Tune into Wednesdays, 10 to Noon on 90.1 FM KKFI

WMM Playlist from Dec. 4, 2019

Posted on December 4, 2019 by Mark Manning

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, December 4, 2019

The 119 Best Recordings of 2019
(Part 1 of 4)

The 119 Best Recordings of 2019 are based on playlists of Wednesday MidDay Medley. We’ve compiled representative tracks from our favorite full-length and EP recordings of 2019 (and a few that came out late in 2018). We realize these “Best of” lists can seem subjective, so we ask that you please accept our list as a celebration of the year in music.

In 2019 we have broadcast nearly 800 musical recordings through our 90.1 FM Community Radio Airwaves, powered by our 100,000 watt transmitter. Over 400 of these tracks were from New & MidCoastal Releases. We played tracks from 145 National Releases, and 183 MidCoastal Releases. 75 of the representative tracks in our “Best of” list are from MidCoastal Releases. In 2019 we conducted 127 interviews, with 209 special guests. 43 of the bands and artists in our “Best of” list have joined us as guests on WMM.

Tune into Wednesday MidDay Medley throughout December for our 4-week series: The 119 Best Recordings of 2019, on December 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th. We’ll be packing 8-hours of radio with music that represent: The 119 of Best Recordings of 2019!

We count down #119 through #91 of our list, with representative tracks of albums or EPs released by: Vedettes, Ivy Roots, Dan Jones and The Squids, Lincoln Marshall, Giants Chair, Jo MacKenzie, Kadesh Flow, Chloe Jacobson, Drugs and Attics, anothermaxwell, VidCo Kult, HelKat, HMPH!, Keaton Conrad, The Bad Ideas, Quixotic, Shawn Stewart, Dylan Pyles, Weyes Blood, Moon Duo, Sharon Van Etten, Lionel Limiñana & The Limiñanas, Purple Mountains, Bedouine, Angel Olsen, Sinkane, Nilüfer Yanya, and Y La Bamba.

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / Universal / Dec. 20, 1979
[WMM’s theme]

2. (119.) Tituss Burgess – “45 (feat. Daniel J. Watts)”
from: Saint Tituss – EP / Tituss Ink / July 26, 2019
[Tituss Burgess was born February 21, 1979. He is an American actor and singer. He has appeared in numerous Broadway musicals. He is best known for starring as Titus Andromedon on the Netflix comedy series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015–2019), for which he has received four consecutive Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series nominations. Born and raised in Athens, Georgia, he attended Cedar Shoals High School where he was active in the theatre program. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in music. He is openly gay. Burgess made his Broadway debut in the musical Good Vibrations as Eddie in 2005, and then appeared in Jersey Boys in 2005 as Hal Miller. He originated the role of “Sebastian the Crab” in the musical The Little Mermaid in 2007 and went on to the role of Nicely-Nicely Johnson, traditionally played by a white actor, in the revival of Guys and Dolls in 2009. He has also performed in several regional theater productions, including The Wiz and Jesus Christ Superstar. Burgess performed at the “Broadway for Obama” benefit concert held at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Easton, Pennsylvania on October 20, 2008. He appeared in Season 5 of 30 Rock as D’Fwan, a member of Tracy Jordan’s wife’s entourage. He reprised the role in Season 6. “45” is the first track off Burgess’ first album in seven years, Saint Tituss. Described by the artist as his “deepest and most soul-searching” work to date. He told them.us “… given the political climate, I think it’s time to speak out. I fear for our country. I fear for how our country treats its citizens and I fear for how our citizens treat each other. It’s a larger problem than just legislation. I didn’t know how to respond, so I just started with art.”]

3. (118.) Y La Bamba – “Mujeres (Album Version)”
from: Mujeres / Tender Loving Empire / February 8, 2019
[Mujeres is “Woman Island” in the Gulf of Mexico. Y La Bamba has been many things, but at the heart of it is singer-songwriter Luz Elena Mendoza’s inquisitive sense of self. Their fifth record, Mujeres, carries on the Portland-based band’s affinity for spiritual contemplation, but goes a step further in telling a story with a full emotional spectrum. Coming off Ojos Del Sol, one of NPR’s Top 50 Albums of 2016, Mujeres exhibits the scope of Mendoza’s artistic voice like never before. “Soy como soy,” Mendoza says, and that declaration is the bold— even political— statement that positions Mujeres to be Y La Bamba’s most unbridled offering yet.]

4. (117.) Sinkane – “Ya Sudan”
from: Dépaysé / City Slang / May 31, 2019
[7th Album from Sinkane (born Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab in London, England in 1983. He is a Sudanese-American musician who blends krautrock, prog rock, electronica, free jazz and funk rock with Sudanese pop. Born to college professors in London, he lived in Sudan, then moved to the US when he was five, and lived for some time in Ohio. Prior to embarking on his solo career, he worked with Eleanor Friedberger, Caribou, of Montreal, Born Ruffians, and Yeasayer as a session musician. Ahmed Gallab is the vocalist and music director of the Atomic Bomb! Band which plays the music of Nigerian funk musician William Onyeabor. The group includes David Byrne (of Talking Heads), Money Mark (of the Beastie Boys), Damon Albarn (of Blur and Gorillaz), Dev Hynes (aka Blood Orange and Lightspeed Champion), Alexis Taylor (of Hot Chip), Charles Lloyd, Amadou and Mariam, Jamie Lidell, Pharoah Sanders, Joshua Redman, among many many others.]

5. (116.) The Bad Ideas – “Nightmare”
from: Happiness / The Bad Ideas / March 30, 2019
[The Bad Ideas are: Britt Adair on guitar, Breaka Dawn on vocals, Matt Roberts on bass, and Way Jillis on drums. The Bad Ideas is an American punk band from Kansas City, Missouri formed in August 2011. They’ve written all original songs and are influenced by post-hardcore, punk, and early 80’s punk. Their EP, Worse Thoughts, was recorded on January 22, 2012 and released March, 2012. Their first self-produced full length, Lesson #1 was released March 8, 2013. The Bad Ideas also released a 7″ split with Red Kate on March 31, 2014. Their most recent release is a full length cassette, “Leave Me Alone.” Released in June 6, 2015.]

6. (115.) Sharon Van Etten – “Seventeen”
from: Remind Me Tomorrow / Jagjaguar / January 18, 2019
[5th studio album from Sharon Van Etten (born February 26, 1981 in Belleville, New Jersey and lived in Nutley, NJ before moving to Clinton as a pre-teen. Later, she moved to Tennessee to attend Middle Tennessee State University and studied recording, but dropped out of college after a year. Van Etten ended up working at the Red Rose, a coffee and record shop and music venue in Murfreesboro, for about five years. In 2004, she moved back to New Jersey, where she worked at Perryville Wine and Spirits. Van Etten moved to New York City in 2005. Van Etten self-released handmade CDs until 2009, when her debut studio recording was released. Before her studio debut, she worked at Astor Wines and as a publicist at Ba Da Bing Records. Van Etten’s debut, Because I Was in Love, was released on May 26, 2009, on Language of Stone, and was manufactured and distributed by Drag City. This is her third album from Jagjaguar.]

7. (114.) Shawn Stewart – “Better Than Me (feat. Ro Myra)”
from: Radio / Shawn Stewart / October 23, 2019
[Radio was recorded by Pat Tomek, Mike Moreland, and Rob Nold, with mixing, mastering, and engineering performed by Pat Tomek. Drums and most percussion- was by Pat Tomek. All songs, 2019, “Hear You” Music. Shawn Stewart started playing music in Kansas City after he moved here from Chicago in 1991. His band, “Tin Roof Echo” played venues around town through 1993 when he retired to the suburbs to raise a family as a “stay at home dad.” In 2014, after his kids were grown, he moved midtown to pick up where he left off. He released four albums under the moniker, “JohnnySuperColossal”. In September he’s taking his trailer to Nashville for three months then to Los Angeles for three months to pursue music publishers and radio.]

8. (113.) Nilüfer Yanya – “In Your Head”
from: Miss Universe / ATO Records / March 22, 2019
[Debut album from British musical artist, Nilüfer Yanya who was born in 1996, the daughter of two visual artists. Yanya grew up in Chelsea, London. Growing up with her father’s Turkish music and her mother’s classical music playing at home, she soon gravitated to guitar rock and learned how to play the instrument at age 12. Informally starting her musical career with demos uploaded to SoundCloud in 2014, she turned down an offer to join a girl group produced by Louis Tomlinson of One Direction and focused on developing her own music instead. Her first EP, “Small Crimes/Keep on Calling”, was released in 2016. Her second EP, “Plant Feed”, was released in 2017, followed by “Do You Like Pain?” in 2018. Miss Universe has received wide critical acclaim, with critics noting her ability to bounce back and forth between musical and lyrical styles, shifting between “gimlet-eyed composure and cataclysmic panic”. Yanya’s music has been described as nervous and restless, combining influences from indie rock to soul, jazz, and trip hop. A Stereogum review called her voice “malleable and endlessly expressive.]

10:29 – Underwriting

9. (112.) anothermaxwell – “Where I Stand”
from: Being – EP / anothermaxwell / June 30, 2019
[Written & Performed, Produced, Engineered, Mixed, and Cover art created by by anothermaxwell. anothermaxwell, is Shenita Hughley who studied music at Avila Collegei and graduated from Raytown South High School in 2012. anothermaxwell is a versatile singer-songwriter & producer, who reinvents new sounds by bending R&B, Pop, Funk and Electronica, genres to form a unique sound not easily categorized.]

10. (111.) 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 joined us on September 25, 2019, to share music and details on his new 20 track album, Popular Songs for the Heart, released September 20, 2019 digitally and on cassette through Manor Records. Dylan also released the 6 song EP, Solo Acoustic Guitar Vol. 1, on September 20, 2019. In December 2018 Dylan Pyles released the 19 track, experimental release, You Have a Problem but You Are Not a Problem. More info at: http://www.dylanpyles.bandcamp.com.]

[Dylan Pyles plays Replay Lounge in Lawrence, KS, Sat., Dec. 7, with The Cavves, and Vanity Plates.]

11.(110.) Weyes Blood – “Something To Believe”
from: Titanic Rising / Sub Pop Records / April 5, 2019
[Weyes Blood is Natalie Mering, born June 11, 1988, in Santa Monica, CA and grew up in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. She has released 4 albums and an EP. Both her siblings and parents are musicians and music played an important part in her upbringing. Her older brother, Zak Mering, is also a noteworthy recording artist, producer and songwriter under the “Raw Thrills” alias. At the age of 15 Mering began using the moniker Wise Blood to write songs. She changed to Weyes Bluhd on several self released records before changing the spelling to Weyes Blood. She took the name from the Flannery O’Connor novel Wise Blood. At the same time, while working on her own material, she toured the underground music scene with bands Jackie-O Motherfucker and Nautical Almanac. In 2011 she released the album The Outside Room as Weyes Blood And The Dark Juices on Not Not Fun Records. Uncut magazine described the album as “the vibe is devotional and ethereal, but with an edge”, while Beatbots found it “an impressive and ambitious album”. Natalie released her second record in October 2014 called The Innocents, which was released through Mexican Summer. In 2016 she released the album Front Row Seat to Earth on Mexican Summer to great acclaim throughout the music industry, and has spent the past few years touring throughout Europe and the states.]

12. (109.) Quixotic & Calvin Arsenia – “Experience”
from: 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 plays Home for the Holidays with Calvin Arsenia & Friends Friday, December 13, at 7:00 PM, at Second Presbyterian, 318 E 55th St]

[Calvin Arsenia plays Center Cut Records Holiday Party, Wednesday, December 18, at 7:00 recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO with Fritz Hutchison, The Black Creatures and Calvin Arsenia.]

13. (108.) Lionel Limiñana & The Limiñanas – “Ocean Kids”
from: Le Bel Été / Because Music / Nov. 15, 2019
[The Limiñanas are Lionel & Marie Limiñana . They are based in Cabestany, deep south of France. They record garage, psych and pop music. Getting their start in October of 2009, The Limiñanas are the brainchild of Lio and Marie Limiñana.]

14. (107.) Moon Duo – “Stars Are The Light”
from: Stars Are the Light / Sacred Bones / September 27, 2019
[Moon Duo is a psychedelic rock band from San Francisco, California formed in 2009 by Wooden Shjips guitarist Ripley Johnson and Sanae Yamada. Their debut album Mazes was released on Sacred Bones Records in 2011. The band’s style is inspired by psychedelic rock, combining repetitive rhythms and saturated guitars. Their influences include Alan Vega of Suicide, Spacemen 3 and Silver Apples. The band’s seventh full-length album, Stars Are the Light, was released on September 27, 2019.]

15. (106.) HMPH! – “The Upside”
from: HMPH! / Haymaker Records / November 15, 2019
[Ryan Lee Toms on guitar, Jonathan Thatch on drums, Kitten Adventure Boggs on bass. HMPH!’s second album, the self-titled “HMPH!” features their signature math-rock sound with a progressive rock and avant-jazz twist. The songs on HMPH! are more sprawling than on 2015’s Headrush, with lots of detours and left turns along the way. Recorded by the band in their home recording studio, the album had time to evolve, and the complicated arrangements materialized through this process. This album also features heavy basslines provided by Kitten Boggs, a significant addition since their first record. This album is a choose your own adventure of abrupt rhythm changes, dissident chords, or even about-face genre-hops into funk, punk, or samba. “HMPH!” is a different kind of album from a different kind of band.]

16. (105.) VidCo Kult – “Tim Allen’s Demolition Kitchen”
from:Enrollment Opportunities : Tangential Life Trajectories Ensuring Physical and Spiritual Greatness Through the Power of Devotional Subjugation / Double Double Whammy / March 1, 2019
[VidCo Kult is a musical trio involving Bob Lyons, Tripp Kirby and Keith. They are based in KCMO. Aside from live performances of original material, they mostly argue about comic books and science fiction.]

17. (104.) Drugs & Attics – “So Tuff”
from: Clean Their Room / High Dive Records / April 19, 2019
[High Dive Records debut from Kansas City based 3-piece premiere party drug rock band.]

[Drugs & Attics play Revolution Records, Fri., Dec. 6 with JC & The Nuns, and Mild Cats.]

11:01 – Station ID

18. (103.) Purple Mountains – “My Happiness is Gone”
from: Purple Mountains / Drag City Records / July 12, 2019
[Purple Mountains was an American indie rock project formed by musician and poet David Berman. The project debuted in May 2019, over a decade after the dissolution of Berman’s previous group Silver Jews. An eponymous album was released in July 2019. The album was recorded primarily in Chicago and produced by Jarvis Taveniere and Jeremy Earl of the band Woods. The project’s name is a mondegreen of the lyric “Purple mountain majesties” from “America the Beautiful”. The project was presumably dissolved upon Berman’s death on August 7, 2019. Berman returned to music in 2018, co-producing Yonatan Gat’s critically acclaimed album Universalists. On December 12, 2018, former Pavement and Silver Jews member Bob Nastanovich revealed on his podcast Three Songs that David Berman would release new music in 2019 under the name Purple Mountains, which was also the name of Berman’s blog. Although, his blog was also titled Menthol Mountains at times. On May 10, 2019, Berman released his first music in over a decade, a single entitled “All My Happiness Is Gone” on vinyl by Drag City, using the moniker Purple Mountains. The single included two remixes of the song, “All My Happiness Is Wrong” by Noah Count and “All My Happiness Is Long” by Mark Nevers featuring clipped recordings of Dave Cloud, and also indicated that a full-length album was a “couple months away.” It also credited Berman, Jeremy Earl and Jarvis Taveniere of Woods, Aaron Neveu and songwriter Anna St. Louis. The single was released digitally on May 17, 2019 with the announcement of a full-length album. The eponymous debut album, accompanied by a US tour, was released on July 12, 2019. “Darkness and Cold” was released as the album’s second single on June 11, 2019. “Margaritas at the Mall” was released as the album’s third and final single on June 28, 2019. A remix of “All My Happiness Is Gone” by Australian electronic music group The Avalanches, who Berman has collaborated with in the past, was commissioned by him, but a licensing issue prevented their version from being released. A few reviews: David Berman is back from his post-Silver Jews void and moving Purple Mountains onto our fruited cultural plain. His iconic literary lyrics sit astride immaculate country-rock tunes, evoking jukebox-ready disaffection with twists of pathos, comedy and tragedy – an indie poet laureate at false dusk! Stop the world! Purple Mountains’ inaugural voyage launches with a five-alarm weep-rocker – and total self-destruction never sounded so good. Amid sumptuous mellotron strings n’ galloping tom-toms, David Berman’s stone-cold account of middle age’s wild unkindnesses takes on a positively heroic glow.]

19. (102.) Kadesh Flow – “Party Thoughts (feat. Jessica Paige)”
from: Otaku Moods EP / Ryan Davis / January 25, 2019
[Kadesh Flow is Ryan Davis is a rapper with an MBA. At age 11, he began rapping and playing trombone within two weeks of one another. His music has been featured on network television in multiple countries and territories across Southeast Asia. Locally, Kadesh can be found rocking solo hip hop sets, laying down bone bars with KC funk juggernaut The Phantastics, or jamming with Marcus Lewis Big Band.]

20. (101.) Chloe Jacobson – “Midas”
from: Frozen Fruit / Chloe Jacobson / November 14, 2018
[It has been written that Chloe Jacobson’s “soulful, bluesy vocals are colored with the pop cadence of aughts-era emo.”]

21. (100.) Jo MacKenzie – “Coming back to you”
from: Proud – EP / Jo Mackenzie / November 17, 2018
[Debut EP from Kansas City based 16 year old singer songwriter Jo MacKenzie.]

22. (99.) Helkat – “I Want You”
from: HelKat / Helkat / December 8, 2019
[1st single form debut 5-song EP from Kansas City based Post apocalyptic lounge punk who play “twangy queer cuddly rock,” with Helen Proctor on lead vocals & guitar, Rozz Petrozz on drums, Olive Cook on guitar and Dylan C.H. on bass. Recording engieered nd matred by Pat Tomek.]

[Helkat play an EP Release Show, Sunday, December 8, at 8:00 PM at The Ship, 1217 Union Ave, KCMO with HANNAH (releasing double album) , and Jametatone+Blastocyst (releasing a new album called “Bird in the Hand”).]

23. (98.) Bedouine – “Echo Park”
from: Bird Songs of a Killjoy / Spacebomb / June 21, 2019
[2nd full-length album from Bedouine, aka Azniv Korkejian, a Syrian-American musician. She has lived in a number of cities and countries, including Saudi Arabia, Houston, Syria, and Boston. Bedouine released her first self-titled full-length album in 2017. The record includes sounds from her memories of her grandmother’s home in Syria, specifically on “Summer Cold” and a song written in Armenian “Louise” (which translates to “light and is written as Լոյս in Armenian). In an interview with Sound of Boston, Korkejian discussed writing the song in Western Armenian, the dialect her family speaks: “I was pretty shy about it because, like I said, my Armenian is kind of broken. But, I ran it by my cousin and kind of had his green light, and I got to a point where I just thought, even if it’s not perfect it’s okay because it’s still my experience.”]

24. (97.) Giants Chair – “Kids Running”
from: Prefabylon / Spartan Records / December 6, 2019
[Third album from Giants Chair who are: Scott Hobart on lead vocals & guitar, Byron Collum on bass, and Paul Ackerman on drums. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab, KCMO. Scott and Byron met at the KC Art Institute in 1989. After college they moved to Collum’s hometown of Green Bay, and formed Giant’s Chair in 1993. The band moved back to Kansas City became part of the burgeoning, mid-90’s KC rock scene, sharing bills with Germbox, Season To Risk, Molly McGuire and Shiner. Shiner even named one of their songs after the band. After being signed to Caulfield Records out of Lincoln NE. on the strength of their debut 7″ single, Giant’s Chair recorded two full-length albums and toured the U.S. twice. Giant’s Chair ended in 1997 but have recently been working on new music. In 2017 they releases the singles “The Streets” and “Featureless Horizon”.]

11:30 – Underwriting

25. (96.) Lincoln Marshall – “Falling Up”
from: Wisdom / Datura Records / October 18, 2017
[Written By: Milkdrop & Approach. Produced, Sequenced, Recorded, Mixed & Mastered By: Aikido Bray. Additional keyboards & atmosphere by Asterales, guitar by Ross Williams, horns by Miles Bonny, live drums & percussion by Aikido Bray. Artwork, Photography & Layout Design By: The Art My Life Imitates

26. (95.) Dan Jones and The Squids – “I’ve Got Time For You”
from: We Live In A World That Is Out Of This World / DJ&tS / December 6, 2019
[Recorded at Temple Sounds in KCMO, 2018-2019. Engineered. by JB Moreland. Produced by Dan Jones and The Squids and JB Moreland. Mastered by Tom Nunes at Atomic Disc. With Dan Jones on acoustic & electric guitars, keyboard, lead vocals + drums/bass on “Love/Life”; Matt Ronan on drums, percussion, vocals; Alex Alexander on electric guitar, vocals; Steve Tulipana on bass, vocals; Joey Slab on poem and spiel on “Beach, Please”; Scot Sperry on electric slide guitar on “Love/Life”; Donna Jones on lyrics to “The Violet Man.”]

[Dan Jones and The Squids play an album release show Sat, Dec. 7, at The Brick with Men of Men]

27. (94.) Keaton Conrad – “I Think I Fell in Love with You”
from: Nova / Keaton Conrad / February 1, 2019
[Keaton Conrad is a recording artist from Kansas City. He has been regarded as “exceptionally promising” (The Kansas City Star) and “making things happen on stages …with an engaging voice and passion for creating good music” (Ink Magazine). In 2015, Keaton Conrad released his debut EP, Panic & Blame, which contained five original songs that were heavily inspired by the pop rock sound he grew up on. His first full-length album, Waves, followed in January 2017 which ranged in style from pop rock to hip-hop to ambient. Conrad spent 2 years as the lead singer & keyboardist in the cover band ChangeUp, performing around KC.]

28. (93.) Angel Olsen – “All Mirrors”
from: All Mirrors / Jagjaguwar / October 4, 2019
[4th album from Angel Olsen who was born January 22, 1987. She is an American singer-songwriter and musician from St. Louis, Missouri who currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina. At age three, Olsen was adopted by a foster family that had cared for her since shortly after her birth. The difference in years between her and her parents left an impression. “Because there are so many decades of difference between us, I became more interested in what their childhood was like,” she says of her parents, both of whom still live in St. Louis. “I fantasized about what it was like to be young in the ’30s and ’50s, more so than other kids my age.” Olsen explained that “my mother just has this capacity for children.” Despite early adolescent aspirations to be a “pop star”, her interests later shifted in high school. Olsen became more introverted, regularly attending punk rock and noise music shows at the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center and the Creepy Crawl as well as Christian rock shows throughout the city. She began learning the piano and guitar and writing her own music. Two years after graduating from Tower Grove Christian High School, Olsen moved to Chicago.After releasing her first EP, Strange Cacti, and a debut album, Half Way Home, on Bathetic Records, Olsen signed with Jagjaguwar, ahead of her first full-band record, Burn Your Fire for No Witness, which was released on February 17, 2014. Olsen’s third full-length album, My Woman, was released on September 2, 2016. In addition to her work with Bonnie “Prince” Billy and The Cairo Gang, Olsen has collaborated with a number of other notable figures of American indie rock, including Tim Kinsella of Cap’n Jazz, LeRoy Bach of Wilco and Cass McCombs. Her collaboration with Kinsella and Bach, as well as with Chicago poet Marvin Tate, resulted in the album Tim Kinsella Sings the Songs of Marvin Tate by Leroy Bach Featuring Angel Olsen which the group released on Indianapolis label Joyful Noise Recordings on December 3, 2013. Her song “Windows” was featured in the final episode of the Netflix original series 13 Reasons Why.]

29. (92.) Ivy Roots – “Appreciate (feat. Eddie Moore)”
from: Love Art Growth – EP / Ivy Roots Music / June 5, 2019
[New EP release from natie KC singer songwriter, who plays piano & guitar, and produces beats. This is a follow up to her 2016 full-length debut “Bad Intuition” released April 14, 2016. Ivy Roots has a style that ranges from R & B, Neo Soul, Hip Hop, Acoustic, & Pop. She has performed at Lincoln Center in NYC, Crossroads Music Fest, and with film & performance. Written & produced by Ivy. Info: http://www.itsjustivy.com]

30. (91.) Vedettes – “Sick Of”
from: EPHEMERAL / Vedettes / March 1, 2019
[Five studio-recorded and mastered tunes, recorded and mixed by Paul Malinowski from May to December 2018 at Massive Sound in Shawnee, Kansas.This Lawrence, Kansas based 4-piece band was formed in 2015 with Heather Lofflin on lead vocals & guitar; Lizz Weiler on bass, & backup vocals; Ben White on lead guitar & backup vocals. More informatin at: http://www.vedettes.com]

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

Next week on December 11, we bring you part 2 of our 4-week special, the 119 Best Recordings of 2019. We will count down #90 to #61 with representative tracks from: Kemet The Phantom, Calvin Arsenia, The Nicole Springer Band, The Depth and The Whisper, The Wires, Approach, True Lions, The Butter Band, Sky Smeed, Miki P, Y god Y, Cuee, Chase The Horseman, Deco Auto, Lovergurl, Digital Leather, Blue False Indigo, Wonderfuzz, Billie Eilish, Rina Mushonga, Bill Callahan, LSD (Sia, Diplo & Labrinth), Better Living Community Center, Ibibio Sound Machine, The National, Lambchop, Lee Fields and The Expressions, Amyl and The Sniffers, Lana Del Rey, amd Jamila Woods.

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

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

Show #814

WMM Playlist from Oct.30, 2019

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Mark Manning

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

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Other Americans + HMPH!
+ Sondra Freeman & Apocalypse Meow 12

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / 1980
[WMM’s theme song]

2. Headlight Rivals – “Stuck”
from: Mattson / Black Site Records / November 1, 2019
[Manhattan, Kansas based three-piece band formed by Eric Kleiner on guitar & vocals, Seven Black on bass, and Kris Kleiner on drums. They previously released the EP Juliette on June 29, 2017.]

[Headlight Rivals play an LP Release Show! Friday, November 1, at 10:00 PM, at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS with The Rackatees and Red Kate.]

Slights at Drexel Hall for Apocalypse Meow 12

3. Slights – “Higher Than Stoned”
from: Flow State / Slights / November 30, 2018
[Slights is a collaboration band between Ben Parks & Matthew Dunehoo. In late January, 2017 they recorded an album at Ghost Cat Studios in San Francisco w/ Ryan Kleeman and their friend Andrew Skikne on bass. Ben Parks is also visual artist & painter as well as part of the band, Of Tree. Matthew Dunehoo is also a filmmaker & actor, and has been a member of the bands: Loose Park, Baby Teardrops, Doris Henson. On Nov, 7, we interviewed Ben Parks & Matthew Dunehoo who joined us to talk about the debut release of their new band Slights. The new 11-song album was created over the past year. Matt is the founder of Elk’s Pride Pictures, based in KCMO More information at http://www.slightsband.com]

[Slights play Midwest Music Foundation’s 12th Annual Apocalypse Meow to benefit Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care, Saturday, November 2, at Drexel Hall, 301 Baltimore, with Jesus Loves the Atom Bomb, Shy Boys, and Nublvckcity, AP, Kristie Stremel, and Anna Cole and the Other Lovers.]

[Matthew Dunehoo’s First Friday Film Festival is this Friday, November 1, at Musical Theatre Heritage Stage in Crown Center 6:60 Cocktails / 7:30 Films]

4. The Sluts – “No Sober”
from: Break Their Heart / The Sluts / February 12, 2019
[New 6 song EP from the Lawrence based band The Sluts formed by Ryan Wise & Kristoffer Dover in 2011. Produced recorded, mixed, and mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording and Mastering Studios, KCMO]

[The Sluts play Midwest Music Foundation’s 12th Annual Apocalypse Meow to benefit Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care, Friday, November 1, at Mills Record Company, 4045 Broadway, with Chris Meck & The Second Sons.]

10:12 – Underwriting

5. Iris DeMent – “Listening to Singing”
from: The Trackless Woods / FlariElla / August 7, 2015
[6th album from Grammy nominated Iris DeMent who NPR said was ”one of the great voices in contemporary popular music.” The Trackless Woods sets 18 poems by acclaimed 20th century Russian poet Anna Akhmatova to life. Hailed as one of Russia’s finest poets, Akhmatova survived the Bolshevik Revolution, both World Wars and Stalin. She lost family, friends & fellow writers to political killings and labor in the gulags. When Iris randomly stumbled upon Akhmatova’s work in a book of poetry a friend sent as a gift, she was immediately taken by the sorrow and burden of the poems, juxtaposed with Akhmatova’s lightness and transcendence in the face of inhumanity. ”Anna’s gift of song is so strong, about alI I had to do was get really quiet and listen,” says Iris. After reading that first poem the melodies began pouring out of her, and before she even fully understood what was driving her, Iris was gathering musicians & friends, including co-producer Richard Bennett (Emmylou Harris, Neil Diamond, Steve Earle), to record ‘The Trackless Woods’ in her living room over 5-days. The result is a pairing of piano and voice in Iris’ style with timeless melodies that are rooted in the American South. On Oct 2, 2012 Iris released Sing The Delta. The album was a return to the roots of her mother, who had recently passed. The album was #1 on WMM’s 112 Best Recordings of 2012.]

[Iris DeMent plays Knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester St, KCMO, Saturday, November 2, at 8:00 PM with Pieta Brown.]

6. Scott Hrabko & The Rabbits – “Pretty Good Day”
from: Pretty Good Day – Single / Scott Hrabko / November 3, 2019
[Scott Hrabko’s new single, available online Nov. 3. For this single the Rabbits were Jason Beers, Gary Paredes and Havilah Bruders. On Febrary 14, 2019 Scott Hrabko released the EP Smash Hits From A Parallel Universe 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 Hrako & The Rabbits released “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.]

10:23

7. Carswell & Hope – “On My Way”
from: On My Way / Silly Goose Records / October 25, 2019
[New song from band with a new video. Last year on May 22, 2018 Carswell & Hope released the critically acclaimed EP Exit Plan with music by Carswell & Hope. Lyrics by Nick Carswell. Produced & mixed by Jason Slote & Nick Carswell. Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper @ TurtleTone Studio NYC. Lawrence KS based 5-piece band formed June 25, 2012. The band is: Nick Carswell, Jason Slote, Austin Quick, Chris Handley, and Jordan Tucker. Songwriter Nick Carswell is originally from Limerick, Ireland and has found a new home on the plains of Kansas. Nick has been living in Lawrence, KS since 2011. He formed Carswell & Hope in late 2012. The band released their debut album in 2014, coinciding with a two week Irish tour. Nick also plays bass in the electro-pop band Pink Royal and is the force behind Silly Goose Records and the annual MixMaster music conference, now part of the Crossroads Music Festival.]

[Carswell & Hope play The Brick, 1727 McGee St, KCMO Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 8:00 PM, with Joe’s Pet Project, and Mikal Shapiro.]

8. Other Americans – “Salt Mines”
from: OA2 / AWAL Records / October 19, 2019
[New EP follow up to the band’s debut self-titled EP from June 29, 2018. Julie Berndsen on lead vocals, Adam Phillips on drums, Brandon Phillips on guitar, Michelle Bacon on bass. Produced by Brandon Philllips. Engineered by Joel Nanos. Recorded at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City. All remixes by Mensa Deathsquad. Hailing from the musical hotbeds of Kansas City, MO, and Lawrence, KS, the electro-alternative OTHER AMERICANS are comprised of members of such regional luminaries as The Architects, Latenight Callers, The Philistines, Radar State and Brandon Phillips and The Condition. Other Americans is a virtual Midwestern supergroup. The cohorts first crossed paths in when a mutual friend and matchmaker introduced Brandon Phillips to vocalist Julie Berndsen “We were all looking for something new to do musically, recalls Brandon. “The way I remember it, a mutual friend (KC music producer Joel Nanos) told me that Julie was looking to start something new and I sent her a note about it. We had tacos to see if we liked each other.”]

Photo by Paul Andrews

10:30 – Interview with Julie Berndsen, Brandon Phillips, Adam Phillips

We just heard Other Americans with their song “Salt Mines’ form their new EP OA2. Other Americans is a Kansas City/Lawrence based 4 piece band made up of: Julie Berndsen on lead vocals, Adam Phillips on drums, Brandon Phillips on guitar, and Michelle Bacon on bass. Other Americans EP OA2, was produced by Brandon Phillips, engineered by Joel Nanos, and recorded at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City. We talk with 3 of the members of the band about their new music

Julie Berndsen, Brandon Phillips, Adam Phillips thanks for being with us on WMM

Brandon Phillips was last on Wednesday MidDay Medley on April 3, 2019 when Too Much Rock released the Brandon Phillips and The Condition single “People Talk.”

Brandon, Zach, & Adam Phillips come from an artistic family. Their father was a jazz musician, playwright, and actor and their mother an art teacher. The brothers started by playing AC/DC covers, but moved on to original songs and a broader range of influences. In 1991 they formed their first band and a 14-year-old Brandon led his younger brothers Zach & Adam into a seedy bar in KC to play their first gig to the small crowd of locals. In 1997 the brother’s a ska and rock & roll band, The Gadjits, released their debut album, Da Gravy on Yo’ Grits, on their own JoCo Ska label. They recorded five full length albums on Hellcat Records, Thick Records and an unreleased album for RCA Records. They played The Vans Warped Tour, and supported the Skatallites, Rancid, Let’s Go Bowling.

In 2004 The Gadjits ended and the brothers formed a new band called The Architects who have released six full length albums and two EPs, including The Border Wars graphic novel/EP series, on which they worked with illustrator Mallory Dorn.

The Phillips brothers found that the music they were making for The Architects was changing and moving in new directions. Rather than disappoint longtime fans of The Architects with new sounds, they instead created new musical projects to explore new musical territory they wanted to play. These new journeys include: Other Americans with Julie Berndsen (formerly of the Latenight Callers) on lead vocals, Brandon Phillips and The Condition with Brandon on vocals, and Radar State where Adam plays drums. The first Other Americans EP included brother Zach Phillips on bass, and former Gadjit member Ehren Starks who was brought in by Brandon to play keyboards with Brandon Phillips and The Condition and ended up helping to write songs for the Other Americans debut EP released last year. Julie Berndsen sings backup vocals in Brandon Phillips and The Condition, an ensemble that changes based on availability of musicians and family.

Other Americans came together when a mutual friend and Kansas City producer Joel Nanos introduced Brandon Phillips to vocalist Julie Berndsen. As Brandon told Nick Spacek of Pitch Kansas City, “We were all looking for something new to do musically. The way I remember it, a mutual friend (Joel) told me that Julie was looking to start something new and I sent her a note about it. We had tacos to see if we liked each other.”

“We had never met,” Phillips says of that first interaction. “So, we had to do the weird, sit-down, getting to know you: ‘What kind of records do you like? Is it okay if I double dip?’”

“I didn’t know that Brandon was into electronic dance stuff as much as he was,” Berndsen says, “so that was really exciting.”

“A big portion for the idea of this band, before it even started, was that it was supposed to be very different from the other stuff that we’ve done,” says drummer Adam Phillips.

Hailing from the musical hotbeds of Kansas City, MO, and Lawrence, KS, the electro-alternative OTHER AMERICANS are comprised of members of such regional luminaries as The Architects, Latenight Callers, The Philistines, Radar State and Brandon Phillips and The Condition.

10:41

10. Other Americans – “Neon Sunrise (Glitchjoy Remix)”
from: OA2 / AWAL Records / October 19, 2019
[New EP follow up to the band’s debut self-titled EP from June 29, 2018. Julie Berndsen on lead vocals, Adam Phillips on drums, Brandon Phillips on guitar, Michelle Bacon on bass. Produced by Brandon Phillips. Engineered by Joel Nanos. Recorded at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City. All remixes by Mensa Deathsquad.]

10:45 – More Interview with Julie Berndsen, Brandon Phillips, Adam Phillips

We just heard “Neon Sunrise (Glitchjoy Remix)” from Other Americans new EP OA2 joining us in our 90.1 FM Studios are Julie Berndsen, Brandon Phillips, Adam Phillips.

10:58

11. Other Americans – “Ship of The Dessert”
from: OA2 / AWAL Records / October 19, 2019
[New EP follow up to the band’s debut self-titled EP from June 29, 2018. Julie Berndsen on lead vocals, Adam Phillips on drums, Brandon Phillips on guitar, Michelle Bacon on bass. Produced by Brandon Philllips. Engineered by Joel Nanos. Recorded at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City. All remixes by Mensa Deathsquad.]

11:02 – Station ID

12. HMPH! – “40 Tubesteaks”
from: HMPH! / Haymaker Records / November 15, 2019
[Ryan Lee Toms on guitar, Jonathan Thatch on drums, Kitten Adventure Boggs on bass. HMPH!’s second album, the self-titled “HMPH!” features their signature math-rock sound with a progressive rock and avant-jazz twist. The songs on HMPH! are more sprawling than on 2015’s Headrush, with lots of detours and left turns along the way. Recorded by the band in their home recording studio, the album had time to evolve, and the complicated arrangements materialized through this process. This album also features heavy bass lines provided by Kitten Boggs, a significant addition since their first record. This album is a choose your own adventure of abrupt rhythm changes, dissident chords, or even about-face genre-hops into funk, punk, or samba. “HMPH!” is a different kind of album from a different kind of band.]

[HMPH! play a Record Release Party on Friday, November 1, at 8:00 PM, at Farewell Transmission, 6515 Stadium Drive, KCMO, with Shiny Jets, Jorge Arana Trio, and Dan Ohm.]

[HMPH! play a Record Release Party on Saturday, November 2, at 10:00 PM, at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS with Pale Tongue, and After Nations.]

Ryan Lee Toms, Kitten Adventure Boggs, and Jonathan Thatch of HMPH! on the October 30, 2019 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley

11:07 – Interview with Ryan Lee Toms, Jonathan Thatch, and Kitten Adventure Boggs

Ryan Lee Toms, Jonathan Thatch, and Kitten Adventure Boggs make up the math-rock trio, HMPH! The band join us today to share music from their second album, the self-titled “HMPH!” to be released worldwide on November 15, 2019. HMPH! (the album) features the band’s signature math-rock sound with a progressive rock and avant-jazz twist. The band’s label haymaker Records reports that “the songs on HMPH! are more sprawling than on their debut album Headrush,” from 2015, “with lots of detours and left turns along the way. This album also features heavy bass lines provided by Kitten Adventure Boggs, a significant addition since their first record.” HMPH! play a Record Release Party on Friday, November 1, 2019 at 8:00 PM, at Farewell Transmission, 6515 Stadium Drive, KCMO, with Shiny Jets, Jorge Arana Trio, and Dan Ohm. HMPH! play a Record Release Party on Saturday, November 2, at 10:00 PM, at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS with Pale Tongue, and After Nations.

Ryan Lee Toms, Jonathan Thatch, and Kitten Adventure Boggs thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Congratulations on the new album.

We just heard “40 Tubesteaks” the opening track from the new album. Opening tracks are sometimes great introductions to an interview about a new album.

HMPH! was recorded by the band in their home recording studio, so the album had time to evolve, and the complicated arrangements materialized through this process.

One of the biggest differences between the band’s 2015 debut Headrush and the new album is the addition of Kitten Adventure Boggs on bass.

Kitten Adventure Boggs has actually been with the band for several years now.

Kitten Adventure Boggs is also the Creative Director for PLY Magazine (plymagazine.com) a quarterly periodical, and source for spinning knowledge, and technique, going beyond the basics, to reflect a global community, and explore this fiber arts passion.

More info at http://www.haymakerrecords.net

Ryan Lee Toms, Jonathan Thatch, and Kitten Adventure Boggs are members of KC based, HMPH! a three-piece math-rock band infusing drums, guitar, bass, looping pedal and effects, to create a huge booming beautiful, complex sound of patterns and riffs and melody.

11:14

13. HMPH! – “The Upside”
from: HMPH! / Haymaker Records / November 15, 2019

[HMPH! play a Record Release Party on Friday, November 1, 2019 at 8:00 PM, at Farewell Transmission, 6515 Stadium Drive, KCMO, with Shiny Jets, Jorge Arana Trio, and Dan Ohm.]

[HMPH! play a Record Release Party on Saturday, November 2, at 10:00 PM, at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS with Pale Tongue, and After Nations.]

HMPH! Art by Kitten Adventure Boggs

11:17 – Interview with Ryan Lee Toms, Jonathan Thatch, and Kitten Adventure Boggs

Ryan Lee Toms, Jonathan Thatch, and Kitten Adventure Boggs make up the math-rock trio, HMPH! The band join us today to share music from their second album, the self-titled “HMPH!” to be released worldwide on November 15, 2019. HMPH! (the album) features the band’s signature math-rock sound with a progressive rock and avant-jazz twist. The band’s label haymaker Records reports that “the songs on HMPH! are more sprawling than on their debut album Headrush,” from 2015, “with lots of detours and left turns along the way. This album also features heavy bass lines provided by Kitten Adventure Boggs, a significant addition since their first record.” HMPH! play a Record Release Party on Friday, November 1, 2019 at 8:00 PM, at Farewell Transmission, 6515 Stadium Drive, KCMO, with Shiny Jets, Jorge Arana Trio, and Dan Ohm. HMPH! play a Record Release Party on Saturday, November 2, at 10:00 PM, at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS with Pale Tongue, and After Nations.

Ryan Lee Toms, Jonathan Thatch, and Kitten Adventure Boggs thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Their debut full-length “Headrush” was released on limited edition cassette and vinyl in April, 2015 by Haymaker Records. Aside from going from a duo to a trio how has the band changed in these last 4 years.

Ryan Lee Toms, Jonathan Thatch, Kitten Adventure Boggs wrote all the music.

Ryan Lee Toms is also known for his musical recordings with FACEFACE a hip hop duo with Paul Nyakatura. Ryan is also as RLT, an experimental / Dance / Electronic Band consisting of Ryan Lee Toms and John Bersuch, recording on RUSTY RECORDS with: Loop heavy electronic psych-rock with intense rhythmic backgrounds. RLT relies heavily on spastic electronic loops and intense drum rhythm. At times it can sound swirly and fun and others dark and gritty, all while driving a complex under rhythm that can change frantically. RLT is a long ever changing project.

Jonathan Thatch is also a drummer, DJ, and farmer at Shade Tree Collective, an urban farm on 33rd Street with his wife Rachel Hogan.

HMPH! is the three-piece math-rock outfit of Ryan Lee Toms (RLT), Jonathan Thatch, and Kitten Boggs. As an instrumental group with guitar, bass, drums, looping pedal and effects, the ingredients are simple but the result is not. Using staples of the math rock genre, such as technical patterned guitar riffs, odd time signatures, and herky-jerky start/stops, the songs greet your ears with a jarring wake up call. A unique sense of melody and structure cement a listening experience filled with unlikely anthems.

HMPH!’s second album, the self-titled “HMPH!” will be released worldwide on November 15, 2019d.

The album features album artwork by Ryan Lee Toms and Kitten Boggs and was pressed on CD and translucent green vinyl with digital download included. The LP includes a bonus re-working of the track “Trudge Dredge” from the first album.

Ryan Lee Toms, Jonathan Thatch, Kitten Adventure Boggs

More info at http://www.haymakerrecords.net

11:24

14. HMPH! – “Chredder”
from: HMPH! / Haymaker Records / November 15, 2019

[HMPH! play a Record Release Party on Friday, November 1, 2019 at 8:00 PM, at Farewell Transmission, 6515 Stadium Drive, KCMO, with Shiny Jets, Jorge Arana Trio, and Dan Ohm.]

[HMPH! play a Record Release Party on Saturday, November 2, at 10:00 PM, at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS with Pale Tongue, and After Nations.]

11:28 – Underwriting

NuBlvckCity at Drexel Hall for Apocalypse Meow 12

15. NuBlvckCity – “All Night”
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 Midwest Music Foundation’s 12th Annual Apocalypse Meow to benefit Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care. Saturday, November 2, at Drexel Hall, 301 Baltimore, with Jesus Loves the Atom Bomb, Shy Boys, and Slights, AP, Kristie Stremel, and Anna Cole and the Other Lovers.]

Sondra Freeman on the October 30, 2019 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley

11:34 – Interview with Sondra Freeman

Sondra Freeman is Director of Promotions and Artist Relations for Midwest Music Foundation, a nonprofit created to support music and musicians in Kansas City and the surrounding areas, founded in 2008 by a collective of musicians and music lovers. The Midwest Music Foundation (MMF) unites and empowers the greater Kansas City music community by providing programs and resources to area musicians through outreach, support, education, and health care opportunities. Sondra is instrumental in MMF’s annual events: Apocalypse Meow, MidCoast Takeover and the MidCoast Takeover fundraiser shows, as well as many other collaborative musical events and fundraisers.

Sondra Freeman joins us to share details about Midwest Music Foundation’s 12th Annual Apocalypse Meow to benefit Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care. The two-night event is Friday, November 1, at Mills Record Company, 4045 Broadway, with Chris Meck & The Second Sons, and The Sluts, and Saturday, November 2, at Drexel Hall, 301 Baltimore, with Slights, Jesus Loves the Atom Bomb, Shy Boys, and Nublvckcity, with an acoustic stage featuring: AP (spoken word), Kristie Stremel, and Anna Cole and the Other Lovers. Saturday night includes: a Silent Auction, raffles and a Health Clinic/Fairs. For more info visit: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

Sondra Freeman thanks for being with us again on WMM.

The Midwest Music Foundation is proud to present the 12th Annual Apocalypse Meow to benefit Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care.

Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care was named for Abigail Henderson (1977-2013).

From St. Louis Post Dispatch: Abigail Hope Henderson the Kansas City vocalist who started a nonprofit organization to help musicians pay health-care costs, died on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 of cancer at her home. She was 35. For more than a decade, Abigail was the lead singer of several area bands: Trouble Junction, The Gaslights, Atlantic Fadeout, and Tiny Horse. In 2008 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had health insurance, but the cost of the treatments prompted her and her husband Christopher Meck, to start the Midwest Music Foundation which raised funds to help area musicians pay health care costs. “Medical bills can throw you into poverty in a week – in one day,” she said. “There’s nothing like standing in your kitchen opening a hospital bill for $63,000.00 in one day and $47,000.00 the next. After a while you don’t want to open them anymore. Who can pay that?”

Midwest Music Foundation – http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

Midwest Music Foundation’s 12th Annual Apocalypse Meow to benefit Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care.

The two-night event is Friday, November 1, at Mills Record Company, 4045 Broadway, and Saturday, November 2, at Drexel Hall, 301 Baltimore

Friday, November 1
7:00 pm Doors
Mills Record Company
4045 Broadway, KCMO
Free, All Ages

8:00 Chris Meck & The Second Sons
9:00 The Sluts

Saturday, November 2
6:00 pm Doors
Drexel Hall Kansas City
3301 Baltimore, KCMO
(Street/lot parking on Baltimore w/ additional parking at McGilley Memorial on Linwood).
All Ages, Under 18 with Guardian

Too Much Rock Stage:
7:05 Slights
8:15 Jesus Loves the Atom Bomb
9:25 Shy Boys
11:00 Nublvckcity

Acoustic Stage:
7:40 AP (spoken word)
8:50 Kristie Stremel
10:10 Anna Cole and the Other Lovers

Emcees: Mark Manning (KKFI 90.1 FM) & Jason Nivens (98.9 The Rock!)

Saturday Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/74356021863
$15 GA in advance, $20 at door
$50 VIP in advance, $60 at door (Limited Availability)

VIP includes:
Access to the Boulevard Brewing Company V.I.Fling Lounge, commemorative cup, complimentary beverages, small bites and more!

11:43

Shy Boys at Drexel Hall for Apocalypse Meow 12

16. Shy Boys – “Brick By Brick”
from: Dim The Light / Brick By Brick – Single / Polyvinyl Record Co. / February 15, 2019
[Single release follow up to band’s 2nd album and Polyvinyl debut, Bell House. Shy Boys line-up consists of brothers Collin Rausch and Kyle Rausch, Konnor Ervin, Kyle Little and Ross Brown. Kyle Rausch and Konnor Ervin were already band mates in the indie-pop band The ACBs and Collin had been playing for years in the Kansas City area in various bands. The three shared a love for 1960s era pop rock and soon started writing their own music. In 2014 they released the self-titled Shy Boys on High Dive Records. The album received generally positive reviews and the single “Bully Fight” was featured on Spin.com. In June 2014 the band recorded and released two more singles and one of them, “Life Is Peachy,” was featured on Stereogum. On April 4th, 2018, it was announced that the band had signed to Polyvinyl Record Co.]

[Shy Boys play Midwest Music Foundation’s 12th Annual Apocalypse Meow to benefit Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care, Saturday, November 2, at Drexel Hall, 301 Baltimore, with Jesus Loves the Atom Bomb, Slights, and Nublvckcity, AP, Kristie Stremel, and Anna Cole and the Other Lovers.]

11:46 – More Interview with Sondra Freeman

We are talking with Sondra Freeman about Midwest Music Foundation’s 12th Annual Apocalypse Meow to benefit Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care. The two-night event is Friday, November 1, at Mills Record Company, 4045 Broadway, with Chris Meck & The Second Sons, and The Sluts, and Saturday, November 2, at Drexel Hall, 301 Baltimore, with Slights, Jesus Loves the Atom Bomb, Shy Boys, and Nublvckcity, with an acoustic stage featuring: AP (spoken word), Kristie Stremel, and Anna Cole and the Other Lovers. Saturday night includes: a Silent Auction, raffles and a Health Clinic/Fairs.

Sondra Freeman thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Saturday, November 2 includes a Silent auction, raffles and a Health Clinic/Fair

RockDocs, physicians from University of KS Med Center, will be on site to offer free flu shots, colon cancer screening test kits, medical consultations/screenings on Sat. 6-10 pm.

Bill Rogers, Physical Therapist, Orthopedic and Geriatric Clinical Specialist will be available to consult and help triage musculoskeletal problems.

Sara Koron, Licensed Acupuncturist, supports individuals struggling with pain and stress who are looking to bring more balance and vitality into their daily life and activities. She is offering a sampling of services from her practice, Sunrise Acupuncture Studio; including Chinese Medicine evaluations, Auricular Acupressure, and Asian bodywork.
http://www.sunriseacupuncturestudio.com

There will also be a health fair with info tables from Truman Medical Centers, Linwood YMCA/James B. Nutter, Sr. Community Center, Narcotics Anonymous, and Get Your Rear in Gear – Kansas City.

Contact rhonda@midwestmusicfound.org for info or schedule an appt. for health services.

For more info and full list of sponsors visit: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

Midwest Music Foundation Staff

Rhonda Lyne, Executive Director
Sondra Freeman, Director of Promotions and Artist Relations
Michelle Bacon, Editor
Canyon McClung, Production Specialist
Brenton Cook, Promotions Specialist
Christopher Tate, Technical Officer, Website Specialist

Midwest Music Foundation Board

Scott Easterday, President, Website, Musician
Chris Meck, Vice President, Musician and CM2 Audio
Garrett Nordstrom, Treasurer, Musician and Birdsway Productions
Ellen Sherman, Secretary, Chair of Marketing
Eric Barton, General Counsel
Dr. K. Allen Greiner, MD, MPH, Chair of Health + Wellness, University of KS Med Center
Erin Corriveau, MD, MPH, Public Health Officer, University of Kansas Medical Center
Bryant Miller, JD, Chair of Development
Vi Tran, Musician and The Buffalo Room
Camry Ivory, Musician
Amber Hulet, Volunteer Coordinator, Social Media

Other Midwest Music Foundation Events:

Daniel Johnston Tribute – October 30 @ 7:00 pm recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd KCMO
A Tribute to Daniel Johnston to benefit Midwest Music Foundation October 30, 2019 recordBar 7:00 PM-Doors, 8:00 PM Show La Guerre CS Luxem No Magic Nate Allen Dylan Pyles Unikron of Drop a Grand Hospital Ships and more pay tribute to the great Daniel Johnston. RIP.

Giving Tuesday – December 3
Giving Tuesday December 3, 2019 Your opportunity to give to your favorite charity. Donate HERE to Midwest Music Foundation. Thank You!

Cover Me KC – December 17 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd KCMO
Cover Me KC #3 is December 17m with 12 of KC’s best folk acts at the recordBar for a celebration of KC music. Each act will perform two songs that were written by a different local artist of their choice. All proceeds from the show will be donated to the Midwest Music Foundation, which provides healthcare grants to working musicians. Tuesday, December 17 Doors open at 6pm Music starts at 7pm Tickets: $10 All Ages (those under 18 must be accompanied by adults).

10:44

Sondra Freeman thanks for being with us again on WMM.

Midwest Music Foundation’s 12th Annual Apocalypse Meow to benefit Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care is Friday, November 1, at Mills Record Company, 4045 Broadway, with Chris Meck & The Second Sons, and The Sluts, and Saturday, November 2, at Drexel Hall, 301 Baltimore, with Slights, Jesus Loves the Atom Bomb, Shy Boys, and Nublvckcity, AP , Kristie Stremel, and Anna Cole and the Other Lovers.

More info at: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

11:56

Kristie Stremel as Drexal Hall for Apocalypse Meow,

17. Kristie Stremel & The 159ers – “Color of Stars”
from: Color of Stars / Stremeltone Records / August 21, 2010
[Rob VanBiber drums, Scott Cameron, guitari, James Wheeler bass Kristie Stremel lead vocals. Produced by Lou Whitney in Springfield, MO. All Songs Written By Kristie Stremel & The 159ers.]

[Kristie Stremel plays Midwest Music Foundation’s 12th Annual Apocalypse Meow to benefit Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care, Saturday, November 2, at Drexel Hall, 301 Baltimore, with Jesus Loves the Atom Bomb, Shy Boys, Slightsand Nublvckcity, AP, and Anna Cole and the Other Lovers.]

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

Next week on November 6 – Colby Bales and Branden Moser share the release of a 7″ Single of a new project on Sunflower Soul Records. Also Ivory Blue returns to our 90.1 FM Studios. AND, Nicole Springer plays LIVE in our 90.1 FM Studios.

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

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

Show #809

Other Americans photo by Paul Andrews
HMPH! Art by Kitten Adventure Boggs

Wednesday MidDay Medley presents Other Americans + HMPH! + Midwest Music Foundation’s Apocalypse Meow 12

Posted on October 28, 2019 by Mark Manning

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

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Other Americans + HMPH!
+ Sondra Freeman & Apocalypse Meow 12

Mark plays more New & MidCoastal releases from: Headlight Rivals, Carswell & Hope, Other Americans, Scott Hrabko & The Rabbits, HMPH!, NuBlvckCity, Shy Boys, The Sluts, Iris DeMent, Slights, and Kristie Stremel & The 159ers.

Photo by Paul Andrews

At 10:30 Mark welcomes Julie Berndsen, Brandon Phillips, and Adam Phillips of the Kansas City/Lawrence band, Other Americans who just released their second EP OA2, with Michelle Bacon on bass. OA2 was produced by Brandon Phillips, engineered by Joel Nanos, and recorded at Element Recording Studios in Kansas City. Other Americans are comprised of members of such regional luminaries as The Architects, Latenight Callers, The Philistines, Radar State and Brandon Phillips and The Condition.

HMPH! Art by Kitten Adventure Boggs

At 11:00 Ryan Lee Toms, Jonathan Thatch, and Kitten Adventure Boggs of the math-rock outfit, HMPH! share music from their second album, the self-titled “HMPH!” to be released worldwide on November 15, 2019. HMPH! (the album) features the band’s signature math-rock sound with a progressive rock and avant-jazz twist. The songs on HMPH! are more sprawling than on 2015’s Headrush, with lots of detours and left turns along the way. This album also features heavy bass lines provided by Kitten Adventure Boggs, a significant addition since their first record. HMPH! play a Record Release Party on Friday, November 1, 2019 at 8:00 PM, at Farewell Transmission, 6515 Stadium Drive, KCMO, with Shiny Jets, Jorge Arana Trio, and Dan Ohm. More info at http://www.haymakerrecords.net

At 11:30 Sondra Freeman shares details about Midwest Music Foundation‘s 12th Annual Apocalypse Meow to benefit Abby’s Fund for Musicians’ Health Care. The two-night event is Friday, November 1, at Mills Record Company, 4045 Broadway, with Chris Meck & The Second Sons, and The Sluts, and Saturday, November 2, at Drexel Hall, 301 Baltimore, with Slights, Jesus Loves the Atom Bomb, Shy Boys, and Nublvckcity, with an acoustic stage featuring: AP (spoken word), Kristie Stremel, and Anna Cole and the Other Lovers. Saturday night includes: a Silent Auction, raffles and a Health Clinic/Fair with RockDocs, physicians from University of Kansas Medical Center, Bill Rogers, Physical Therapist, Orthopedic & Geriatric Clinical Specialist, Sara Koron, Licensed Acupuncturist, and info tables from Truman Medical Centers, Linwood YMCA/James B. Nutter, Sr. Community Center, Narcotics Anonymous, and Get Your Rear in Gear-KC. Contact rhonda@midwestmusicfound.org for more info or to schedule an appointment for any of the health services. For more info visit: http://www.midwestmusicfoundation.org

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

Show #809

WMM Playlist from October 9, 2019

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Mark Manning

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, October 9, 2019

Julia Othmer + Jocelyn Olivia Nixin of The Creepy Jingles
+ Music from Outer Reaches with Brenton Cook & Steve Tulipana

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / Universal / Dec. 20, 1979
[WMM’s theme]

2. Angel Olsen – “All Mirrors”
from: All Mirrors / Jagjaguwar / October 4, 2019
[4th album from Angel Olsen who was born January 22, 1987. She is an American singer-songwriter and musician from St. Louis, Missouri who currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina. At age three, Olsen was adopted by a foster family that had cared for her since shortly after her birth. The difference in years between her and her parents left an impression. “Because there are so many decades of difference between us, I became more interested in what their childhood was like,” she says of her parents, both of whom still live in St. Louis. “I fantasized about what it was like to be young in the ’30s and ’50s, more so than other kids my age.” Olsen explained that “my mother just has this capacity for children.” Despite early adolescent aspirations to be a “pop star”, her interests later shifted in high school. Olsen became more introverted, regularly attending punk rock and noise music shows at the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center and the Creepy Crawl as well as Christian rock shows throughout the city. She began learning the piano and guitar and writing her own music. Two years after graduating from Tower Grove Christian High School, Olsen moved to Chicago.After releasing her first EP, Strange Cacti, and a debut album, Half Way Home, on Bathetic Records, Olsen signed with Jagjaguwar, ahead of her first full-band record, Burn Your Fire for No Witness, which was released on February 17, 2014. Olsen’s third full-length album, My Woman, was released on September 2, 2016. In addition to her work with Bonnie “Prince” Billy and The Cairo Gang, Olsen has collaborated with a number of other notable figures of American indie rock, including Tim Kinsella of Cap’n Jazz, LeRoy Bach of Wilco and Cass McCombs. Her collaboration with Kinsella and Bach, as well as with Chicago poet Marvin Tate, resulted in the album Tim Kinsella Sings the Songs of Marvin Tate by Leroy Bach Featuring Angel Olsen which the group released on Indianapolis label Joyful Noise Recordings on December 3, 2013. Her song “Windows” was featured in the final episode of the Netflix original series 13 Reasons Why.]

3. Pretend Friend – “I Do”
from: Unnatural Currents / Pretend Friend / May 17, 2019
[Pretend Friend is a string-band dynamo out of Wichita, Kansas. Their songs meld traditional bluegrass and folk with fiery rock and roll zest, and their performances are distinguished by high-energy picking and three-part vocal harmonies. Pretend Friend is: Grant Boesen as songwriter, and on guitar & lead vocals; Jason Snavely on drums & vocals; Brody Wellman on bass & vocals; and Evan Ogborn on mandolin & vocals. Unnatural Currents” is Pretend Friend’s second full-length LP. This album is the first to be acoustically arranged and foreshadows Pretend Friend’s stylistic direction since Brody Wellman and Evan Ogborn have joined the ranks as upright bassist and mandolinist, respectively. “The writing of this album acknowledges the futility in pursuing supernatural absolutes, but it also validates respect of the unknown. It relishes the uncertainty of existence, spirituality, and morality, and it celebrates expressions of enthusiasm, infatuation and skepticism.” More info at http://www.pretendfriendmusic.com]

[Pretend Friend play Porch Fest KC Saturday, October 12, at 12:00 Noon, at 3022 Oak Street during The Original PorchFestKC, this Saturday, October 12, 12 Noon to 6:00 PM in Roanoke, Union Hill and Longfellow Neighborhoods, now in its 5th year this music celebration brings music from 152 local & regional bands on 68 porch stages including music in Union Hill Cemetary. The map (and parking suggestions) are available at: PorchFestKC.com ]

10:11

4. Julia Othmer – “Frickin Awesome”
from: Sound / Julia Othmer & James Lundie / June 30, 2016
[One several new songs from Julia Othmer’s upcoming full length release of “Sound,” her second album, that took 3 years to complete, and was produced with James Lundie, who also married Julia in January of 2016, during the completion of the record. Julia Othmer, is a graduate of Park Hill High School. She moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to record her 1st full-length album, “Oasis Motel.”.]

[Julia Othmer plays recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO Sat, Oct. 12, at 8:00 PM, with Amado Espinoza.]

Julia Othmer

10:14 – Interview with Julia Othmer

We are happy to welcome back to the radio show our friend, singer songwriter Julia Othmer. Julia Othmer joins us to talk about her newest album “Sound,” released on April 12, 2019 on Frikin’ Awesome Records. who went to Park Hill High and studied at Columbia University in New York City. Julia now lives in Los Angeles, California and she is back in her hometown to play recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO Sat, Oct. 12, at 8:00 PM, with Amado Espinoza.

Julia Othmer, thanks for being with us on WMM

Julia Othmer was born August 13, 1975. She is from Kansas City, Missouri. She went to Park Hill High and studied at Columbia University in New York City. Julia Othmer lives in Los Angeles, California.

Julia has lived in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and in Colorado

Julia Othmer on the October 9, 2019 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI

Julia moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to record her first full-length album, “Oasis Motel.”

Julia’s mother Sieglinde Othmer is from Hamburg, Germany, and is an artist who studied at Sorbonne in Paris. She is the author of several award winning books. Julia recently lost her father Arthur Othmer

Julia first started playing piano in first grade.

This year Julia released “Sound,” her second full-length album, produced with James Lundie, who married Julia in January of 2016 during the completion of the record.

James Lundie is from London, United Kingdom.

Last year Julia Othmer toured with and opened for The Alarm in US show and shows in the United Kingdom.

Julia Othmer on the October 9, 2019 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI

Out of Print Magazine says: “This Thursday evening in the quaint little village of NYC, Julia Othmer, the mesmerizingly sultry singer/songwriter will be riding into town tucked under the wings of a Southwest jet. She will be performing at Rockwood Music Hall (196 Allen St. New York, NY) at 7PM sharp. If you haven’t heard of her, it may be because she has been diligently working on her new album for the last few years on the sunny and less immediate coast. Formerly a Kansas City native, Julia has put her pillow in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, some gondola in Colorado and finally Los Angeles, the city of lights and traffic, where she currently lives with her little white piano, her rock star and her cat Cosmo. Julia’s musical musings are so diverse that they become quite elusive to the simple description. Perhaps the best way to explain it would be if Nora Jones, Tom Waits, Billy Holiday and Lyle Lovett had a musical orgy and let you watch behind a curtain of burning lace and a whiskey waterfall. I’ll bring the unfiltered cigarettes, you bring your soul.”

Last time Julia Othmer was in Kansas City she played Knuckleheads, on February 28, with Johnny Hamil on bass, Chris Tady on guitar, John Floyd Whitaker on drums. All three will join Julia on stage at recordBar. Julia will welcome special guest: Julia Reynolds.

Who will be on stage with her on Saturday?

Julia Othmer plays recordBar, 1520 Grand, Sat. Oct. 12, at 8PM, w/ Amado Espinoza.

Julia ‘s newest album “Sound,” was released on April 12, 2019 on Frikin’ Awesome Records. Produced with James Lundie.

Tim Finn describes “Sound” as a “self-made record with a big-label sound… rich in space and soaring dynamics and rife with layers and textures and melodies and grooves.”

Julia Othmer is a graduate of Park Hill High School and moved to Los Angeles in 2006. While she lives in LA, she will always call KC her hometown.

Julia Othmer, thanks for being with us on WMM

Julia Othmer plays recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO Saturday, October 12, at 8:00 PM, with Amado Espinoza. More info at http://www.juliaothmer.com.

10:30 – Underwriting

10:32

5. The Creepy Jingles – “Atom & Evolution”
from: The Creepy Jingles EP / High Dive Records / May 3, 2019
[Debut EP Release from The Creepy Jingles: Jocelyn Olivia Nixon on lead vocals, Rhythm Guitar, & Keyboards; Travis McKenzie on lead guitars, Nick Robertson on drums; and Adam York on bass. From High Dive Records website: “The brainchild of singer/ songwriter, Jocelyn Olivia Nixon acts to guide the listener thru a self-actualized Mono-myth of forging identity thru Bizarre arcane cosmic poetry coupled with the wordplay of a wry smile and eccentric wit. Drummer Nick Robertson charges the group forward with a fiery fueled obsidian backbeat. Adam York delivers pulsing bass lines that the compliment the songs and his partner in the rhythm section. Rounding out the band is Guitarist Travis McKenzie who generously spins a holographic spectrum of color that lift the catchy Brit pop melodies that effortlessly dance about the rapidly changing landscapes of New York Garage Rock and 60s/70s folk music. Beware The Creepy Jingles, their siren call is coming from inside the house.”]

Jocelyn Olivia Nixin and Julia Othmer on the October 9, 2019 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI

10:33 – Interview with Jocelyn Olivia Nixin of The Creepy Jingles

Jocelyn Olivia Nixin, is lead singer, songwriter, keyboardist & guitar player for the KC based band, The Creepy Jingles which include: Travis McKenzie on guitar, Nick Robertson on drums, and Adam York on bass. The Creepy Jingles released their self titled debut EP on May 3, 2019 on High Dive Records.

Jocelyn Olivia Nixin, thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Congratulations on the new EP Release on High Dive Records.

Ross Brown of (Shy Boys and Full Bloods) recorded and mixed the EP at escape Pod Audio.

Mike Nolte Mastered the recordings at Eureka Mastering.

EP credits give special thanks to: Collin Rausch and Kyle Rausch of Shy Boys

The Creepy Jingles photo by: Orange Blossom Photography

From High Dive Records http://www.highdivekc.com:

“The brainchild of singer/ songwriter, Jocelyn Olivia Nixon acts to guide the listener thru a self-actualized Mono-myth of forging identity thru Bizarre arcane cosmic poetry coupled with the wordplay of a wry smile and eccentric wit.”

“Drummer Nick Robertson charges the group forward with a fiery fueled obsidian backbeat. Adam York delivers pulsing Bass lines that the compliment the songs and his partner in the rhythm section. Rounding out the band is Guitarist Travis McKenzie who generously spins a holographic spectrum of color that lift the catchy Brit pop melodies that effortlessly dance about the rapidly changing landscapes of New York Garage Rock and 60s/70s folk music. ”

From FALLY AFANI, I Heart Local Music.com (JUNE 22, 2019):

“The Creepy Jingles are really throwing us for a loop. Like, we know garage rock is supposed to sound raw and a little loose. But The Creepy Jingles are so on point with their craft, we’re not entirely comfortable with picturing them as some laid back group of rockers. Every. Single. Note. Is. Perfect. When The Creepy Jingles play, it sounds like they practice every single day. They don’t miss a single thing! Every note in every song is spot on, we haven’t heard a group of rockers this tight with their performance in ages. When they hit the Replay for their album release show Thursday night, it was hard to look away. Jocelyn Olivia Nixon runs a tight ship with this group. They began the set with her pounding away at the keys, leaving a throbbing urge for more of their exciting rock noise. Then, when they fully dove into their impeccable guitar work, the audience was also treated to her gnarly-as-hell vocals. The growls, the screams, the RAWNESS of it all brings out our most primal emotions.”

Jocelyn Olivia Nixin on the October 9, 2019 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI

Jocelyn Olivia Nixin is Community Organizer at Bandwaggn Kansas City

Jocelyn Olivia Nixin is Singer/ Songwriter/ Guitar/ Keys at The Creepy Jingles

Jocelyn Olivia Nixin is Singer-songwriter at English Major

Jocelyn Nixin Studied Filming/Directing/Acting/writing at The Art Institute of Austin

Jocelyn Nixin Studied Studied Broadcasting & Film at University of Central Missouri

Jocelyn Nixin Studied Studied Creative Writing in English at Missouri State University

Jocelyn Nixin went to Blue Springs South High School and Jocelyn Nixin lives in Overland Park, Kansas

From The Pitch KC June 19, 2019 Nick Spacek:

Jocelyn Olivia Nixin was part of the band Abracadabras, that was active around Kansas City from 2006 to 2009 or so. Nixon fronted the band, which also included brothers Collin and Kyle Rausch, who now play in the pop act Shy Boys.

Jocelyn Olivia Nixin told Nick Spacek i nan article published in The Pitch KC on June 19, 2019, “That was, like, the first band,” Nixon says. “I’d been writing songs since I was probably about 22, and that was our first band together. So it was like we all grew up together … Once I went to Austin, I felt like it was time for me to stand on my own.”

“I’d left [Kansas City] to work on my marriage,” Nixon continues. “My wife at the time was offered a job and I figured, Yeah, Austin, great music city. I should see what happens. A music city like Austin was the silver lining in moving away from my band.”

The marriage hit the skids a few years in, but Nixon continued writing music. She released a solo project called English Major, a divorce record of sorts. Five years in, though, everything finally seemed to come to a head.

“The traffic, the cost of living — our rent went up $750,” Nixon says. “It was almost impossible to stay. I was like, Why am I killing myself to do this? I was also starting to come to terms with my own personal identity, and it blew into this existential crisis, where I was like, I can’t keep this bottled up anymore.”

Being “bottled up” was Nixon acknowledging her recent transition into life as a woman, a process she’d started early during her time in Austin.

“Tweezing my eyebrows, laser hair removal, therapy, going out more in femme,” she says — but largely abandoned after her marriage fell apart and she stepped into a new relationship. But the desire to transition hadn’t gone away; Nixon was just burying it.
“I was depressed to the point where I kind of — there’s that line in ‘Yer Blues,’ where John Lennon’s like, Feel so suicidal/ Even hate my rock and roll.’ I was like, ‘Oh, I get that line,’”

Nixon says. “I didn’t ever feel like I was going to commit suicide, but I had this fantasy of faking my death and becoming a new person, which was all sort of leading me to transition, but I was just miserable and I just didn’t want to be around it.”

She decided to leave Austin and return to KC, though moving back home as she transitioned wasn’t something Nixon was initially eager to do. “I thought it was scarier to move back,” she says. But then she realized that, as she says, “I needed to do this in front of the people I grew up with, and have those tough conversations, and tell them who I really am and how I really feel. It felt like the most honest way to do things, and it felt like the most authentic way to bridge my past to my present.”

Nixon started hormones and came out as a woman after she moved back home to KC. She says everyone’s been cool about it — tons of support.

“When I came out, I felt stupid, because I was like, ‘I should’ve done this sooner,’” she says. “An immediate weight lifted off of me, just from carrying the weight of that consuming all my mental faculties at all times. It just shot my nervous system.”

Nixon had quit playing music toward the end of her time in Austin, and she gave herself a few years during her transition to “get my head right and heal from a breakup, and also, approaching this new phase in my life,” as she puts it. But she kept writing songs.

She started jamming with Nick Robertson, a drummer. Then they brought in Travis McKenzie, a former Abracadabras guitarist, and the Creepy Jingles were born. They played around for a few years and then, last year, began recording what would become their debut self-titled EP.

“We took it slow, doing it like, once a week, and then once fall rolled around, we were like, ‘Let’s record some things,’” Nixon says. They took the music to Ross Brown, another Shy Boy, who recorded and mixed the EP in his basement. Collin Rausch ended up playing bass on it (Adam York has since joined the group as the full-time bass player).

“It was kind of like a little family reunion,” Nixon says of reuniting with old bandmates.

Nick Spacek wrote: The EP was released on High Dive Records at the beginning of May. It’s confident and exuberant, a Kinksy mishmash of Britpop garage rock”.

She says. I felt like I had to adopt a mask or a character to protect myself a little bit onstage. Now it feels very me, and I’m very comfortable.”

The Creepy Jingles
photo by: Orange Blossom Photography

The Creepy Jingles play Josey Records, 1814 Oak , KCMO, Saturday, October 12, for the Eggs On Mars Album Release Show.

The Creepy Jingles play Kirby’s Beer Store, 3227 E 17th St N, Wichita, KS, on Sunday, October 13, at 9:00 PM, with Shivery Shakes.

The Creepy Jingles play ArtsTech, 1522 Holmes, KCMO, on Halloween, Thursday, October 31

The Creepy Jingles play First Friday at Revolution Records, 1830 Locust St, KCMO, Friday November 1, at 6:30 PM with Videodisk, Xmas Anhedonia, and Fox Hat.

The Creepy Jingles play Colonial Club, 322 6th Street, KCK, on Friday, November 29, at 10:00 PM, with Thighmaster, and Blanky.

10:44

6. The Creepy Jingles – “Prodigal Sun Tzu”
from: The Creepy Jingles EP / High Dive Records / May 3, 2019
[Debut EP Release from The Creepy Jingles: Jocelyn Olivia Nixon on lead vocals, Rhythm Guitar, & Keyboards; Travis McKenzie on lead guitars, Nick Robertson on drums; and Adam York on bass. From High Dive Records website: “The brainchild of singer/ songwriter, Jocelyn Olivia Nixon acts to guide the listener thru a self-actualized Mono-myth of forging identity thru Bizarre arcane cosmic poetry coupled with the wordplay of a wry smile and eccentric wit. Drummer Nick Robertson charges the group forward with a fiery fueled obsidian backbeat. Adam York delivers pulsing bass lines that the compliment the songs and his partner in the rhythm section. Rounding out the band is Guitarist Travis McKenzie who generously spins a holographic spectrum of color that lift the catchy Brit pop melodies that effortlessly dance about the rapidly changing landscapes of New York Garage Rock and 60s/70s folk music. Beware The Creepy Jingles, their siren call is coming from inside the house.”]

The Creepy Jingles
photo by: Orange Blossom Photography

10:47 – More Interview with Jocelyn Olivia Nixin of The Creepy Jingles

We are talking with Jocelyn Olivia Nixin, is lead singer, songwriter, keyboardist & guitar player for the KC based band, The Creepy Jingles which include: Travis McKenzie on guitar, Nick Robertson on drums, and Adam York on bass. The Creepy Jingles released their self titled debut EP on May 3, 2019 on High Dive Records.

Jocelyn Olivia Nixin, thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

This has been a very busy year for you and for the band. You just finished playing Middle of The Map Festival. Before that you played Crossroads Music Festival.

The Creepy Jingles have played all over Kansas City, Lawrence and surrounding areas.

Abracadabras laid the ground work for the path Jocelyn is following for The Creepy Jingles.

The songs on the EP are incredibly poetic, and you are having somuch fun with word and wordplay. The lyrics fly by so fast while making all kinds of modern references to microchips, memes, Reddit, Twitter, Fake News, Samsung, Big Brother while also seeming to be auto biographical and personal first person narratives and calls to action about Coming Out, leaving your past behind, “turning straight people bi-focal”, our currently political reality, and personal break ups and break outs.

Collin & Kyle Rausch and Ross Brown of Shy Boys are suppoters of The Creepy Jingles.

Mark: “One of my favorite aspects of the KC music community is the mix of genre and culture. Musical artists in Kansas City have felt comfortable to come out as Gay Lesbianm non-binary, transgender, ad the music community’s response seems to be okay, that’s great, what do you sound like? I don’t see transgender artist being shoved into a separate sub category where they only play gay bars.” “As an openly gay man I have often felt more accepted in the KC Music Community than in the Kansas City LGBTQIA Community.”

High Dive Records has released some of our most played music on WMM. The ACBs, Shy Boys, Fullbloods, The Conquerors, Psychic Heat, The Whiffs, The Fog, Y God Y have been some of our most played bands on the show. More info at: http://www.highdiverecords.bandcamp.com

The Creepy Jingles play Josey Records, 1814 Oak , KCMO, Saturday, October 12, for the Eggs On Mars Album Release Show.

The Creepy Jingles play Colonial Club, 322 6th Street, KCK, on Friday, November 29, at 10:00 PM, with Thighmaster, and Blanky.

10:58

7. The Creepy Jingles – “Circadian Rhythm Guitar”
from: The Creepy Jingles EP / High Dive Records / May 3, 2019
[Debut EP Release from The Creepy Jingles: Jocelyn Olivia Nixon on lead vocals, Rhythm Guitar, & Keyboards; Travis McKenzie on lead guitars, Nick Robertson on drums; and Adam York on bass. Ross Bown recorded and mixed the EP at escape Pod Audio. Mike Nolte Mastered the recordings at Eureka Mastering.]

11:00 – Station ID

Jocelyn Olivia Nixin and Brenton Cook on the October 9, 2019 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI.

11:00 – Music from Outer Reaches Fest at recordBar Saturday October, 19

8. Lumerians – “Silver Trash”
from: Call Of The Void / Fuzz Club Records / June 22, 2018
[Lumerians is a San Francisco Bay Area-based quartet which has a psychedelic “mindbender” space rock sound. The group is notable for performances characterized by “transcendent live video projections” and having “incredible visuals”, according to one music critic. One critic described the band as “Oakland’s prize pony in the Bay Area gloom-folk horse race”. The sound has been compared to Krautrock with overtones of 1960s music. The band was founded by Tyler Green, Marc Melzer, Jason Miller and Chris Musgrave in 2006. Multi-instrumentalist Luis Vasquez joined in 2008. Early rehearsals and recordings were produced in San Francisco, but the group has since relocated to Oakland. They have their own recording studio in a converted church in Oakland, California. The band’s sound was influenced by groups such as Sonic Youth, Krautrock groups such as Can and Neu!, and African and South American Psych music from the 1960s and 1970s. In mid-2011 Vasquez left the group to focus on his project The Soft Moon The Lumerians have worked with vocalist Rebecca Coseboom. Coseboom and the Lumerians did the track Separate Half on the EP entitled The Answer EP by Unkle. They performed in 2010 in Brooklyn with the Butthole Surfers. Lumerians released their first full length LP, Transmalinnia in March 2011. In July 2012, Lumerians released their second LP, a collection of instrumental spontaneous compositions titled “Transmissions from Telos Vol. IV.” “Transmissions” was released as a limited 300 edition transparent vinyl by French label Hands in the Dark in Europe and an edition of 500 (150 transparent sea blue and 350 Bone) on Permanent Records in the US. In late November and early December 2012, Lumerians completed their first European tour, ending the year with the release of the Horizon Structures EP on Knitting Factory Records. A limited 500 edition vinyl of Horizon Structures is packaged with “4D Trans-dimensional portal viewing glasses” for viewing the video for “The Bloom,” shot in ChromaDepth. Lumerians released LP The High Frontier in May 2013 in the UK and Europe, supported by performances in UK, France, Netherlands and Belgium. The album was released August 2013 in the US, coinciding with a series of dates supporting My Bloody Valentine on the second half of their US tour, followed by a series of UK and European dates in 2014, culminating with them closing out the Roadburn Festival’s Afterburner in Tilburg, Netherlands. ]

Steve Tulipana and Brenton Cook on the October 9, 2019 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley on KKFI.

11:06 – Interview with Brenton Cook & Steve Tulipana

Originally called KC Psych Fest, Outer Reaches started in 2012 to bring together outsider musical acts and celebrate experimental music in Kansas City. While still very psychedelic, the Outer Reaches Fest has grown to emphasize musical acts pushing boundaries.

Dedric Moore launched this festival in 2012. The idea grew out of the music he was creating with his Brother Delaney Moore at the HQ Artspace in KCK. Dedric is a member of the bands Monta At Odds, Mysterious Clouds, and Gemini Revolution. He has also produced recordings for the Philistines and HMPH, and others.

Brenton Cook studied Computer Science at Missouri University of Science and Technology, in Rolla, Missouri, where he also had his own college radio show. Brenton has produced extensive compilations of area music for the Midwest Music Foundation. He formed the Kansas City independent music label, Haymaker Records in January 2014. The label has released multiple full length albums, for Monta At Odds, HMPH!, Be/Non, Jorge Arana Trio, Riala, Mysterious Clouds, Sie Lieben Maschinen, Schwervon!, and others on vinyl, cassette, CD, and 7 “. He has also produced two Haymaker compilation releases, called Fairgrounds. For the last 7 years, Brenton has been a co-curator of the Outer Reaches Fest.

Steve Tulipana is the co-owner of recordBar. Steve studied video, fine arts & painting at UMKC, where he graduated in 1991. Steve is a founding member of influential KC bands: Season To Risk, Roman Numerals, Thee Water MoccaSins, Sie Lieben Maschinen, and Unknown Pleasures. With Shawn Sherrill, he is co-owner of recordBar and miniBar. Along with Outer Reaches, and a full calendar of shows, Steve Tulipana also performs with The Band That Fell To Earth – in Tribute to David Bowie.

Brenton Cook & Steve Tulipana share music & news about OUTER REACHES, Saturday, October 19, at 7:00 PM, at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO. This boundary-pushing music festival returns for it’s 8th year with seven amazing bands: Lumerians (from Oakland, California), Thunder Jackson (from Oklahoma and Wales), and KC based bands: Be/Non, BCR (Black Crack Revue), Monta At Odds, FACEFACE, and Unicorns in the Snow (the project of multimedia performance artist Julia Vering). Accompanying the music will be live video projections provided by XO Blackwater. Outer Reaches 2019 is a partnership between Outer Reaches and Midwest Music Foundation. The show is 18+ (Under 18 with a guardian) More information at: http://www.therecordbar.com. or http://www.outerreachesfest.com

Brenton Cook and Steve Tulipana thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

Congratulations on 8 years.

Bands playing Out Reaches Fest 2019:

Lumerians (from Oakland, California),
Thunder Jackson (from Oklahoma and Wales),
KC based bands:
Be/Non,
BCR (Black Crack Revue),
Monta At Odds,
FACEFACE, and
Unicorns in the Snow (the project of multimedia performance artist Julia Vering).

Accompanying the music will be live video projections provided by XO Blackwater.
Outer Reaches 2019 is a partnership between Outer Reaches and Midwest Music Foundation. The show is 18+ (Under 18 with a guardian)

Unicorns in the Snow (the project of multimedia performance artist Julia Vering).

From http://www.unicornsinthesnow.com:
Julia Vering (Unicorns in the Snow) is a performance artist, musician, animator and licensed clinical social worker. She began her involvement with the Kansas City DIY/punk scene as a teenager taking photographs and creating zines about obsolete local amusement parks and punk bands. She attended Evergreen State College where she earned a B.A. in liberal arts studying electronic music, experimental animation and social work. While in Washington state, she formed and toured with the all female conceptual art band Muñeca Chueca, volunteered at a senior center, recorded oral histories, and facilitated music recording workshops for incarcerated youth. After graduation, she moved back to Kansas City and began working at a nursing home where she facilitated art and music therapy and began an experimental drama program. She studied electro-acoustical composition and gerontology at the University of Missouri Kansas City. In 2008, she earned a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas. She designed a recreational therapy program for the inpatient geriatric psychiatric unit at the Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center and worked as a licensed social worker at Kansas City Presbyterian Manor facilitating a drama club, harmonica band and talent shows. She currently works as a hospice social worker and leads an experimental therapeutic drama group for people with dementia.

Vering balances her client-centered social work with the need to create intensely personal, introspective performances to share with the public. Her work explores mortality, loneliness, absurdity and empathy, seeking to monumentalize the mundane and forgotten through sound, performance and visual art. Vering received a Rocket Grant in 2011 to produce You Live Here Too, a multimedia performance utilizing video, stop-motion animation, an original score, and local senior citizens as actors and oral historians. After a hiatus from taking work after having children she created Motherhood, a psychedelic multimedia performance piece about perception, which utilizes processed accordion, field recordings of her children, stop motion animation of mink stoles and cameos from her own mother. She toured this project in June 2018 with former collaborator Angela Saylor of Mint Hill. Her current project, The Understudy, is an evolving multimedia performance piece featuring cameos from participants of the drama she leads for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The piece was inspired by a delusion a nursing home resident shared with her 17 years ago that “every rock in here is from a different place, and if you pick it up, you can see where it’s from.” Vering continues to work within the DIY ethos recording her own music, filming, editing her own videos and writing her own scripts at her home studio in Overland Park, Kansas.

11:13 – Music from Outer Reaches

9. Unicorns in the Snow – “We Started a Rock Company”
rom: The Understudy / Julia Vering / May 9, 2019
[Julia Vering (unicorns in the snow) is a Kansas City-based performance artist, musician, animator and licensed clinical social worker. She earned a BA from The Evergreen State College studying electronic music, experimental animation and social work, and a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas. She currently works as a licensed hospice social worker, and conducts bi-monthly experimental video-based drama therapy with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias at Jeanne’s Place day program. Her solo multimedia performance work has continued to evolve, utilizing large format interactive projections, processed accordion, field recordings of her children and cameos from her mother, culminating in 2018’s Motherhood. She is currently creating and performing, The Understudy, a multi-part performance series featuring adults with dementia.]

[Unicorns in the Snow play Outer Reaches, Saturday, October 19 at recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO]

10. Be/Non – “Aahs Come From The Skies-Oohs Come From The Ground”
from: Mystic Sunrise / Sunset Magic / Haymaker Records / February 25, 2016
[Brodie Rush is a songwriter, musician, singer, organizer, artist, film maker, music video creator. Over 20 years ago KC native, Brodie Rush formed the experimental, psychedelic, prog-pop band. In 1996, Be/Non recorded two sets of songs in a small home studio in Lawrence, Kansas, that would become their first two EPs released on cassette. Be/Non, The band has had more members than Spinal Tap, but Brodie has remained the only consistent member, songwriter and producer. Be/Non personnel: 2007, Brodie Rush – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Percussion, Drums; Ben Ruth – Bass, Upright Bass, Vocals; Adam Stotts – Guitar, Vocals; John Huff – Keyboards, Synths, Vocals; Adam Phillips – Drums (although Ryan Shank – played Drums on this track.) All songs written by: Brodie Rush, except Freedom Palace with music: John Huff & lyrics: Brodie Rush. Produced by Brodie Rush. Recorded at Westend Recording (Kansas City, Kansas) 2007 (Basic tracks, some overdubs); The Gold Room (Kansas City, Missouri) 2007 (Overdubs); Studio G (Brooklyn New York) 2007 (Mixing, Overdubs); The Map Room (Lawrence, Kansas) 2003 (Overdubs). Engineeres: Paul Malinowski Recorded at Westend Recording (Kansas City, Kansas) 2007 ; Brodie Rush The Gold Room (Kansas City, Missouri) 2007; Joel Hamilton Studio G (Brooklyn New York) 2007 ; Peter Buxton The Map Room (Lawrence, Kansas) 2003, (Saxophone overdubs imported from “Do The Heat” off the record, “Esperanto At The Pantheon, Incognito”). Mixed by Joel Hamilton at Studio G (Brooklyn New York) 2007. Mastered by Brodie Rush. Thanks John Hulston, Anodyne Records, Brenton Cook, Haymaker Records, Paul Malinowski, Tony Maimone, Justin Warring, Adam Phillips, Brandon Phillips, Steve Neuenburg, Mike Miller, Shawna Sowersby-Booth, David Hanson, Billy Brimblecom, Steve Tulipana, Jason Cantu, David Gaume, Robert Moczydlowsky, Laurel Birdsong Sears, Kid Millions, Cypher Sound, The Record Bar. Dedicated to: Failed marriages throughout time and space. The troubled “Freedom Palace” LP was recorded over 10 years ago in the summer of 2007 by Paul Malinowski and Brodie Rush in Kansas City, Missouri. Anodyne Records had commissioned Be/Non to re-record songs from, “RAN” and “Esperanto At The Pantheon, Incognito” along with other unreleased material. The music from the title track “Freedom Palace” was written by John Huff and had the album been released, would have been the first Be/Non composition not penned by Brodie Rush. Be/Non was a 5 piece before recording negotiations began in 2007. Directly before preproduction, the band had lost its drummer of 3 years and Be/Non was actively searching for a replacement. Between Brodie filling in on drums for two songs and Billy Brimblecom playing drums on another track, Be/Non asked Adam Phillips of The Architects to drum on the album’s remaining songs. The album was mostly recorded at Westend Studios in Kansas City and at Brodie’s home studio The Gold Room. After tracking 97% of the album, the project was taken to Studio G in Brooklyn New York for mixing by Joel Hamilton. 10 days later, the album was mixed and ready for duplication. No formal album covers had been decided on. John Huff had an idea of a Unipegadong by a nebula in space, while Brodie was thinking a castle floating in mid air. The first cover idea was mostly just pointing arrows going in all directions. Emotionally that was probably the closest to the mindset of that recording. The album “Freedom Palace” was never pressed or released. Because a contractual arrangement could not be agreed upon between Anodyne Records and Be/Non, the band would not see an album released until 2009, “A Mountain Of Yeses”, 11 years after it’s last release in 1998. “Freedom Palace” is dismissed by the band as a complete failure. Ultimately not having rights to the recordings, the inability to reach a contractual agreement with Anodyne Records and unhappiness with the final mix led to the disbanding of the “Freedom Palace” line up in early 2008. Reclusive, secluded and freshly divorced, a depressed Brodie Rush stopped all live performances for the next two years. Spending time to construct the concept record “A Mountain Of Yeses” as a solo endeavor under the Be/Non band moniker. Then, six years later in 2014, John Hulston of Anodyne Records graciously gave Brodie Rush full rights to the “Freedom Palace” recordings and masters. Be/Non has since tried numerous times to re-record the material for a proper release, but never could fully accomplish this task. Finally, for the entire world, for better or for worse, Be/Non and Haymaker Records would like to present the final mix of “Freedom Palace” the way it was originally intended. Be/Non adamantly renounces the production, mix and performances on these recordings, with few exceptions. The album was mixed and recorded during a dizzying haze of drug and alcohol abuse. The lyrics, the tone and the feel of the record is very unfocused, angry and misguided. This record does not reflect the proper sonic soundscape or performances Brodie Rush and Be/Non had intended whatsoever. “Freedom Palace” was full of rehashed versions of songs better left to their previous incarnations. “Moi Ou Toi” from the 7″ is a remake from “Freedom Palace” but the “FP” version is a remake of the original “Ran” version. Complicated. In fact ALL of the recordings on “FP” are remakes from “Ran” and “Esperanto.” “Do the Heat” and “Lucy” are again remakes of the “Ran” and “Esperanto” versions. The version of “Ice Fight” on “FP” I think… is different than the B-Side to “Moi Ou Toi”. A different remix with other instruments. We had two different versions from 2015. The Kraftwerk reference was unintentional. John Huff started playing that back in 2006 but hadn’t heard the Kraftwerk song until I played it for him in 2015. He just did that and thought he was cool. I hadn’t heard that tune until 2010 or so. It was an accident. There is an unreleased, unfinished song called “No God Of Mine” I recorded in 2002 on my 8 track that when I tried to remake it in 2007 with Mike Cochran on drums, John heard it and played me a song from the band YWKMBT Trail Of Dead from 2005 that was almost identical even the timing on the changes. The vocal melody was different tho. I got so disturbed by it that I stop working on the song altogether. “Garlic”, “In The Nighttime” “More Than Enough” and “Current And The Rind” were all part of an unreleased collection called “Enhance The Smoky” from 2000. Same year “Tenderfoot” was written.]

[Be/Non play Outer Reaches, Saturday, October 19 at recordBar, 1520 Grand, KCMO]

11:18 – Interview with Brenton Cook & Steve Tulipana

We’re talking with Brenton Cook & Steve Tulipana about OUTER REACHES, Saturday, October 19, at 7:00 PM, at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO.

Brenton Cook and Steve Tulipana thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

This boundary-pushing music festival returns for it’s 8th year with seven amazing bands: Lumerians (from Oakland, California), Thunder Jackson (from Oklahoma and Wales), and KC based bands: Be/Non, BCR (Black Crack Revue), Monta At Odds, FACEFACE, and Unicorns in the Snow (the project of multimedia performance artist Julia Vering).

Accompanying the music will be live video projections provided by XO Blackwater.

The show is 18+ (Under 18 with a guardian) More information at: http://www.therecordbar.com.

We just heard Be/Non from: Mystic Sunrise | Sunset Magic / Haymaker Records / 2/25/16

Be/Non will be joining Outer Reaches this year to perform a special set of music with video accompaniment. This will be their first live appearance in 3 years.

Last year Outer Reaches is part of Open Spaces KC. This year Outer Reaches is again collaborating with Midwest Music Foundation. Outer Reaches 2019 is made possible from the help of a grant through the KC Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund.

Sponsors for this year’s fest include Records with Merritt, 7th Heaven, It’s a Beautiful Day, recordBar, Seen Merch, XO Blackwater, Haymaker Records, Kosmic City, Crush Media, Boulevard Brewing Co., and Print Time. Info: http://www.outerreachesfest.com

11:24 – Music from Outer Reaches

11. Thunder Jackson – “Colours”
from: Colours – Single / Thunder Jackson / March 7, 2018
[Thunder Jackson is the meeting of an Oklahoma’s singer-songwriter and a British producer. After meeting in a taxi cab in Los Angeles, the freshly born duo started to work in basement studio on the west side of the city.Nov 26, 2017.]

[Thunder Jackson play Outer Reaches Fest, Saturday, October 19 at recordbar.]

12. BCR – “Love In Outer Space”
from: Speck of Dust / Sparkling Beatnik / December 31, 2004
[BCR is Black Crack Revue, formed 37 years ago in KC. Called “groovy polyphonic jazz/dance” band.]

[BCR play Outer Reaches Fest, Saturday, October 19 at recordbar.]

11:32 – Underwriting

11:35 – Interview with Brenton Cook & Steve Tulipana

We’re talking with Brenton Cook, and Steve Tulipana about OUTER REACHES VIII on two stages on Saturday, Oct. 19th at recordBar.

Brenton Cook and Steve Tulipana thanks for being with us on WMM.

More info: http://www.outerreachesfest.com/

The music festival Outer Reaches, in its eighth year, emphasizes musical acts experimenting and pushing boundaries. The fest aims to showcase the ‘out there,’ left-of-center, under-the-radar musical acts performing captivating live music. The shows are 18+ and feature acts from a variety of musical genres with accompanying video projection.

11:42 – Music from Outer Reaches

13. FACEFACE – “Meat Me”
from: MMmm / FACEFACE / February 15, 2018
[KC based experimental electronic hiphop musical collaboration with Paul S. Nyakatura, is a Kansas City based award winning voiceover artist, stand up comedian, commercial producer, and rapper and hip hop artist.and Ryan Lee Toms is a Kansas City based multi-instumentalist, composer and artist who has recorded original experimental dance electronic music as RLT with John Bersuch. Ryan also plays guitar with the math rock band HMPH! and he plays drums for the KC based, 5-piece post-punk deathrock band Beelzebabes..]

[FACEFACE plays Outer Reaches Fest, at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO, Sat, October 19]

14. Monta At Odds – “Perimeter Dancer”
from: New Unreleased track from band with Mikal Shapiro on vocals
[KCK based band formed by brothers Dedric and Delaney Moore. ]

[Monta At Odds plays Outer Reaches Fest, at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd, KCMO, Sat, October 19]

11:48 – Underwriting

11:56 – Music from Outer Reaches

15. Lumerians – “C – Rock”
from: Yellowcake – Single / Fuzz Club Records / June 22, 2018
[Lumerians is a San Francisco Bay Area-based quartet which has a psychedelic “mindbender” space rock sound. The group is notable for performances characterized by “transcendent live video projections” and having “incredible visuals”, according to one music critic. One critic described the band as “Oakland’s prize pony in the Bay Area gloom-folk horse race”. The sound has been compared to Krautrock with overtones of 1960s music. The band was founded by Tyler Green, Marc Melzer, Jason Miller and Chris Musgrave in 2006. Multi-instrumentalist Luis Vasquez joined in 2008. Early rehearsals and recordings were produced in San Francisco, but the group has since relocated to Oakland.

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

Next week on October 16 – we welcome Krystle Warren with Brad Cox and Jen Owen of Owen/Cox Dance Group

Wednesday MidDay Medley

Wednesdays, 10 – Noon, on 90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio

Tag Archives: Haymaker Records

WMM Playlist from July 22, 2020

WMM Playlist from April 8, 2020

WMM presents L A Jones, Be/Non, and Rosé Perez

WMM Playlist from April 1, 2020

Wednesday MidDay Medley’s The 119 Best Recordings of 2019

WMM Playlist from Dec. 4, 2019

WMM Playlist from Oct.30, 2019

Wednesday MidDay Medley presents Other Americans + HMPH! + Midwest Music Foundation’s Apocalypse Meow 12

WMM Playlist from October 9, 2019

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this: