Wednesday MidDay Medley
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The 117 Best Recordings of 2017

The 117 Best Recordings of 2017 are based on the playlists of this little ole radio show. We realize that these “Best of” lists can seem very subjective, however we ask that you please accept our list as a celebration of the year of music. In 2017 we’ve played nearly 1000 different songs on the show, and from nearly 375 New & MidCoastal Releases. More than 200 of these releases were New MidCoastal Releases. Over 35 of the bands and artists in our “Best of” list have joined us live in our 90.1 FM studios. This past year we’ve interviewed nearly 200 guests. 70 of the representative recordings in our “Best of” list were MidCoastal Releases. It’s all good!

1. Krystle Warren – Three The Hard Way / Parlour Door Music / August 18, 2017
[Produced by Krystle Warren and Ben Kane (D’Angelo, Emily King, PJ Morton). Recorded, engineered, and mixed by Ben Kane. Written & performed by Krystle Warren. Mixed at The Garden, Brooklyn. Mastered & cut by Alex DeTurk at Masterdisk. In 2016 Krystle Warren premiered this song and her other new songs from this album at the Middle of the Map Fest in a packed room at Californos in Westport and later at The Polsky Theatre for the Performing Arts Series of Johnson County Community College. For this record Krystle decided to play every instrument and perform all vocals & back up vocals, “playing bass, drums, lap steel, piano, guitar, and vocals directly to analog tape. She and Ben Kane recorded in Villetaneuse, France, a small town on the outskirts of Paris in a vintage ’70s era studio that offered just the right, rich sound to suggest the musical foundation for the record, and to do justice to the duo’s carefully balanced arrangements.” On the radio show last year Krystle shared inspirations for this record, early gospel recordings, that crossed over into Jazz from Pharoah Sanders, Edwin Hawkins, and The Swan Silvertones. Originally from KC, Krystle learned to play the guitar by listening to Rubber Soul & Revolver from The Beatles. Krystle graduated from Paseo Arts Academy in 2001 and began her musical career in collaborating with area jazz and pop musicians. After living in San Francisco and NYC, Krystle was signed to a French label, Because Music, and moved to Paris to release “Circles” in 2009. Krystle played French and British television programs, including Later with Jools Holland, garnering critical acclaim and traveling all over the world with Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave, Norah Jones, and Joan As Police Woman. Krystle created, Parlour Door Music, to release “Love Songs: A Time You May Embrace” a recording from a 13-day session in Brooklyn, where she recorded 24 songs live with 28 musicians including her band, The Faculty, alongside choirs, horn and string sections.] [Krystle Warren was on WMM on September 20. We played her music on 12 different shows this year.]

2. Making Movies – I Am Another You / Making Movies / May 26, 2017
[3rd full length release: from Kansas City 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. Making Movies kicked off their 22-date Immigrants Are Beautiful Tour, a celebration of solidarity in the face of fear-mongering and hate. Frontman Enrique Chi shared, “It’s time to realize we are all part of this continuum, this beautifully flawed human race that has migrated from every continent to bring us all the beauty we enjoy today.” The band’s social statement is straightforward enough that they can express it in four words: “We Are All Immigrants.” In supporting that cause, a portion of all proceeds from the album and tour go to the National Immigration Law Center. Enrique Chi, singer-songwriter in Making Movies describes, “since making the album, the tides have shifted and the underbelly of systematic racism has reared its ugly head. It is no longer time to be silent is time for us to raise our voices.” 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.] [Making Movies played I Am Another You Experience at Knuckleheads, Saturday, December 2, at 8 PM at Knuckleheads Saloon, 2715 Rochester St, KCMO, with: Making Movies, The Elders, Jim Suptic (of the Get Up Kids), Bob Walkenhorst (of The Rainmakers), The Nace Brothers, Anthony Ladesich (The Hardship Letters), Hi-Lux, Wick (of Wick and the Tricks), Rory Cameron (of the Whiffs), and Quixotic.]

3. Calvin Arsenia – 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. 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. Standing at 6 foot 6 inches, Arsenia’s powerful vocals span a 3.5 octave range, while playing piano, banjo, guitar and harp Calvin teaches music to elementary students. 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. Calvin recently returned home from a three month US/European Outlyre Tour where he has played San Francisco, Portland, Vancouver, NYC, Boston, Edinburgh, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerland, Lyon and Paris. in over 40 shows, with musician and friend Simon Huntley who plays with Quixotic. Calvin is working to release new music from Calvin’s June 11th, Live Recording at Kansas City’s newly restored Greenwood Social Hall, at 1750 Bellevue Ave. in KC. ] [Calvin Arsenia played Big Bang Buffet’s “Black Sheep Rising,” Tuesday, April 11, at 8:00 at The Buffalo Room. A benefit for 90.1 FM KKFI featuring Ron Megee, Lisa Cordes, Jon “Piggy” Cupit, The Sleazebeats, Kristie Stremel, Jen Harris, Maria Vasquez Boyd, Jen Appell, Bill Belzer, Charlie Colborne, Mark Manning, Susan Cedarquis-Brewington, BJ McBride, Michael McQuary, Janet Henry, Ryan Wilks, and Nico Gray.] [Calvin Arsenia was on WMM on Feb. 15, April 12, Sept. 20, and Oct. 25 and we’ve played his music on 17 shows this year.]

4. Katy Guillen & The Girls – Remember What You Knew Before / KG&G / Nov 11, 2017
[For this new album the band worked with producer Lennon Bone. The band reworked songs from the 2012 album Katy & Go-Go, the 2014 Katy & The Girls eponymous debut album, and from 2016’s “Heavy Days” with one new song. Katy Guillen and The Girls, were formed in September of 2012 in Kansas City. The blues influenced roots rock trio is made up of Katy Guillen on guitar & vocals, Claire Adams on bass & vocals, & Stephanie Williams on drums.] [Katy Guillen & The Girls joined us on WMM on November 8.]

5. Mysterious Clouds – Panic on the Non Meridian / Haymaker Records / May 26, 2017
[For this release the band writes: “Crazy times call for crazy music. Panic is a reflection of the turmoil in our hearts, minds, and country. Sometimes you have to embrace the wild times to get a clear mental picture of how to make thing better.” Mysterious Clouds is one of the musical projects of Kansas City, Kansas based post-punk psychedelic musical artists, Dedric Moore and Delaney Moore and special guests. The brothers are also founders of the critically acclaimed band Monta At Odds. Mysterious Clouds also releaxed the EP, Clear Reflection, February 3, 2017. Their song “Clear Reflection” was also include ion the Haymakers records compilation, Fairgounds Vol. 2 Released March 24, 2017.] [Mysterious Clouds played Outer Reaches Fest, Friday Sept. 29, at recordBar.] [Dedric Moore joined us on WMM on September 27.]

6. Kemet the Phantom – The Invisible Man / Center of Attention / March 9, 2017
[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 information at: http://www.kemetthephantom.com.] [Kemet The Phantom played Brass & Boujee, October 6, at Ruins Pub, with Marcus Lewis presenting, big band arrangements of Kemet and Kadesh’s original material for his 18-piece jazz ensemble] [Kemet joined us on WMM on October 4.]

7. Andrew Foshee – Strange Relations / Andrew Foshee / October 31, 2017
[Andrew Foshee on acoustic guitar, vocals, sampling, keys; Jon Estes on classical guitar, electric guitar, standup bass, piano, keys, percussion, string arrangements; Jeremy Fetzer on electric guitar, acoustic guitar; Jack Lawrence on bass guitar; Dave Racine on drums, percussion; Alexis Saski on backing vocals; Jem Cohen on backing vocals; Molly Parden on backing vocals; Liz Estes on viola, violin; Amy Helman on viola, violin; Eduardo DuQuesne on words of encouragement. Produced, engineered and mixed by Andrija Tokic
At The Bomb Shelter in Nashville, TN. Mastered by John Baldwin At John Baldwin Mastering in Nashville, TN. Additional production and sequencing done by Andrew At Ye Ol’ Basement Studio in Kansas City, MO. Cover art by Mariano Peccinetti. Andrew Foshee is a songwriter from Kansas City, Missouri. His knack for cinematic home recordings has lead to several song placements in tv and new media. Earlier this year he teamed up with producer Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Benjamin Booker) and a high clergy of guest musicians at Tokic’s Nashville studio, The Bomb Shelter, to fully realize his latest project. More info at: http://www.andrewfoshee.com] [Andrew Foshee joined us on WMM on November 1.]

8. Berwanger – Berwanger and The Star Invaders / Berwanger / October 28, 2017
[Recorded in Norman, OK at Blackwatch Studios. This record features musicians from The Anniversary, Pink, Cher, Limbeck, the Flaming Lips, & Broncho. Josh wrote the songs for this record after witnessing UFO’s on family vacation 2 years ago. The songs for this record can almost make a trilogy collection including his 2 previous records, and bridge the gap nicely between his earlier bands, The Anniversary and The Only Children. Josh Berwanger on guitar & vocals, Ricky Salthouse on guitar & vocals, Eva Gardner on bass, Jonny Phillip on drums & cymbals & percussion, Matt Duckworth on percussion, and Penny Pitchlynn on backing vocals. 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 the EP Demonios November 11, 2016.]

9. Samantha Fish – Belle of The West / Ruf Records / November 3, 2017
[Samantha Fish’s second full-length release within eight months, and her sixth since debuting in 2009. Produced by Luther Dickinson. Growing up in Kansas City, Samantha Fish switched from drums to guitar at the tender age of 15. She spent much of her time in local watering holes listening to visiting blues bands. Samantha caught the attention of Ruf Records who released her album, Girls with Guitars, which found her co-billed with Cassie Taylor and Dani Wilde. That led to her forming her own trio and recording three more albums, Runaway (2011), Black Wind Howlin’ (2013) and Wild Heart (2015). She was awarded, Best Artist Debut at the 2012 Blues Music Awards in Memphis. In March of 2017 Fish released: Chills & Fever, where she traveled to Detroit to collaborate with members of the Detroit Cobras, a band popular in the Midwest punk/blues scene. The collaboration included Joe Mazzola on guitar, Steve Nawara on bass, Kenny Tudrick with Bob Mervak on keys, and Mark Levron and Travis Blotsky on trumpet and saxophone. The band covers songs from Jackie DeShannon, Jerry Ragavoy, Bert Berns and Allen Toussaint while also revisiting some earlier demos she cut along with producer Bobby Harlow.]

10. Scott Hrabko & The Rabbits – Summer / Scott Hrabko / June 23, 2017
[3rd full length album release and follow up to his 2015 release Biscuits and Gravity. Scott Hrabko on vocals & guitar; Marco Pascolini on pedal steel, lap steel, and baritone guitar; Fred Wickham on lead guitar; Josh Arnold on bass & vocals; and Tim Higgins on drums, with guest artists: Brett Hodges on fiddle, Havilah Bruders on vocals, Dan Bliss on guitar, Mikal Shapiro on vocals, Chad Brothers on guitar & vocals, Bart Colliver on piano and accordian, and Kevin Dolan on mandolin. Recorded in part and mixed in full by Paul Malinowski at Massive Sound. Singer-songwriter Scott Hrabko has played with Kansas City’s oldest garage band, The Original Sinners, as well as various incarnations of the 1980s bands: The Splinters, and The Andersons. In the 1990s he performed as a solo artist in coffee houses with Iris Dement and Howard Eisberg. Scott Hrabko’s 2014 critically acclaimed solo release, “Gone Places” was said to be 30 years in the making.]
[Scott Hrabko & The Rabbits played a CD Release Show, Friday, June 23 at 7:00 PM at The Brick.] [Scott Hrabko joined us on WMM on June 14.]

11. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – Soul of a Woman / Daptone / Nov. 17, 2017
[6th and last studio album. In November 2016, Sharon Jones suffered a stroke while watching the 2016 United States presidential election results and another the following day. Jones remained alert and lucid during the initial period of her hospital stay, jokingly claiming that the news of Donald Trump’s victory was responsible for her stroke. She died on November 18, 2016, in Cooperstown, New York, aged 60. Sharon Lafaye Jones was born May 4, 1956 and died this year on November 18, 2016. She was an American soul and funk singer. Although she collaborated with Lou Reed, David Byrne and others, she is best known as lead singer of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, a soul and funk band based in Brooklyn, New York. Jones experienced breakthrough success relatively late in life, releasing her first record when she was 40 years old. In 2014, Jones was nominated for her first Grammy, in the category Best R&B Album, for Give the People What They Want. Jones was born in Augusta, Georgia, the daughter of Ella Mae Price Jones and Charlie Jones, living in adjacent North Augusta, South Carolina. Jones was the youngest of six children; her siblings are Dora, Charles, Ike, Willa and Henry. Jones’s mother raised her deceased sister’s four children as well as her own. She moved the family to New York City when Sharon was a young child. As children, she and her brothers would often imitate the singing and dancing of James Brown. Her mother happened to know Brown, who was also from Augusta.Jones grew up in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. In 1975, she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn. She attended Brooklyn College. A regular gospel singer in church, Jones often entered talent shows backed by local funk bands in the early 1970s. Session work then continued with backing vocals, often credited to Lafaye Jones, but in the absence of any recording contract as a solo singer, she spent many years working as a corrections officer at Rikers Island and as an armored car guard for Wells Fargo, until receiving a mid-life career break in 1996 after she appeared on a session backing the soul and deep funk legend Lee Fields. Sharon Jones was part of the very beginning of Daptone Records Daptone Records’ first release was a full-length album by Sharon Jones. A new band, the Dap-Kings, was formed from the former members of the Soul Providers and the Mighty Imperials. Some of the musicians went on to record for Lehman’s Soul Fire label, while some formed the Budos Band, an Afro-beat band. From the original Soul Providers, Roth (also known as Bosco Mann) on bass, guitarist and emcee Binky Griptite, percussionist Fernando Velez, trumpet player Anda Szilagyi and organist Earl Maxton were joined by original Mighty Imperials saxophonist Leon Michels and drummer Homer Steinweiss, plus Neal Sugarman from Sugarman 3, to form The Dap-Kings. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, then released the album Dap Dippin’ with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings in May of 2002, for which they received immediate attention and acclaim from enthusiasts, DJs and collectors. Next they released, Naturally (2005), 100 Days, 100 Nights (2007), I Learned the Hard Way (2010), and Give the People What They Want (2014). They are seen by many as the spearhead of a revival of soul and funk.]

12. Truckstop Honeymoon – Big Things and Little Things / S. & M. West / Jan 6, 2017
[Katie West & Mike West are based in Lawrence, KS, and were relocated here after Hurricane Katrina and the devastation of their home. Hollering with all their hearts over a five string banjo and a doghouse bass, Truckstop Honeymoon live the life they sing about. Touring across three continents with four kids and a truck load of songs, Katie and Mike West tell stories about the strangeness of everyday life. Their music combines elements of bluegrass, music hall jazz and straight up rock’n’roll. Vaudevillian wit and showmanship spike their energetic live shows, while the fearless honesty of their songs touches the hearts of listners around the world. In eleven years Truckstop Honeymoon have released eight CDs and a full length documentary film on Baton Rouge label, Squirrel Records. They perform at International folk festivals, rock clubs, neighborhood bars, house concerts and hay barns from Nebraska to Tasmania. Truckstop Honeymoon’s story begins in New Orleans, where Katie played wash-tub bass and blues piano in the streets of the French Quarter. There she met Mike, who slung a banjo and sold his CDs to tourists as a curative for hangovers and small mindedness. After a court house wedding, they hit the road together. They spent their wedding night in a truckstop somewhere between Lafayette and the Atchafalaya Swamp, where Truckstop Honeymoon was born. More info at: http://www.truckstophoneymoon.com.]

13. LCD Soundsystem – american dream / DFA – Columbia / September 1, 2017
[4th studio album by American rock band LCD Soundsystem, released on September 1, 2017 through DFA and Columbia. It was first announced on January 5, 2016, the day after it was revealed that the band was reuniting after a disbandment lasting nearly five years. It is the band’s first album in seven years, following This Is Happening (2010). Prior to release, LCD Soundsystem performed at large music festivals as well as smaller shows to promote their reunion. “Call the Police” and “American Dream” were released together as the album’s lead single on May 5, 2017, and “Tonite” was released as the second single on August 16, 2017. The album received widespread acclaim from music critics. The album performed well commercially and became the band’s first number-one album in the United States.]

14. Emmaline Twist – Dissimulation 1 EP / Emmaline Twist / October 23, 2017
[Emmaline Twist, Kansas City’s Darkwave / Post-Punk / Shoegaze project have released “Dissimulation 1” : four songs in digital format, their first since last year’s release of “Vega” b/w “Moon Eyes”. Meredith McGrade on vocals & guitar, Kristin Conkright on bass, Jonathan Knecht on drums, and Krysztof Nemeth on baritone Guitar. Recorded, Mixed, and Produced at Massive Sound by Paul Malinowski, and Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering, these four songs showcase the dark and driving nature of the Emmaline Twist sound, complete with all the mood and texture that the band has crafted through their live performances. Matched with compelling cover-art created by Amy Abshier, “Dissimulation 1” is perfect for nighttime drives, cloudy skies, and battle cries. More info at: https://emmalinetwist.bandcamp.com/%5D

15. The Roseline – Blood / King Forward Revords / September 29, 2017
[From the 5th album of the Lawrence, Kansas, based alt-country, Americana, rock band, formed by Colin Halliburton with friends in 2005. The Roseline has been through dozens of lineup changes. The current lineup includes: Colin Halliburton on guitar & vocals; Heidi Gluck on bass & vocals, Ehren Starks on keyboards, Kris Losure on guitar, Jeff Jackson on pedal steel & guitar, and Jim Piller on drums. Roseline released their last album, Townie, on June 19, 2015. More info at: http://www.roselinemusic.com] [The Roseline played an Album Release Show, TOctober 5, at The Brick, with Chase the Horseman, and Justin Klaas.]

16. Moses Sumney – Aromanticism / Jagjaguwar / September 22, 2017
[Debut studio full length album by American singer-songwriter Moses Sumney. It is a concept album about “lovelessness as a sonic dreamscape” that “seeks to interrogate the idea that romance is normative and necessary.” The record was written and produced by Sumney, with assistance from numerous musicians. Moses Frimpong Sumney was born May 19, 1990 in San Bernardino, California to Ghanaian parents. He moved with his family back to Ghana at the age of 10. Sumney described his childhood as “Americanized” by this age and had difficulty adjusting to the culture of Ghana. He did not learn to play any instruments until he was older, writing a cappella music for years instead. Sumney did not perform his musical compositions publicly until he was 20.[1] He attended the University of California, Los Angeles. He is based in Los Angeles, California. His self recorded debut EP, Mid-City Island, was released in 2014 and self recorded onto a 4-track recorder given to him by TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek. The EP was described by Pitchfork as “primarily composed of first-takes and improvisation; the music is stirring but purposefully incomplete”. Sumney has performed as an opening act for Solange, Sufjan Stevens, and Erykah Badu. Sumney released another 5-song EP in 2016, titled Lamentations which featured a guest appearance from Thundercat.]

17. Hermon Mehari – Bleu / Unlabeled Publishing / March 17, 2017
[Debut solo release from Kansas City based jazz trumpeter. Hermon Mehari featuring
Logan Richardson on saxophone, Aaron Parks on piano, Peter Schlamb on vibraphone, Rick Rosato on bass, Ryan J. Lee on drums, and a guest appearance by Kevin M. Johnson on vocals. Hermon Mehari grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri, home of Lincoln University. He is a 2010 graduate of the University of Missouri – Kansas City Music Conservatory. In 2015 he finished first, at the prestigious Carmine Carusa International Jazz Trumpet Competition at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville Texas. Hermon was a semifinalist in the 2014 Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition. In 2014 he released the CD “Our Journey” with Diverse, which was recorded in Paris featuring Logan Richardson on alto saxophone. Hermon was also the winner of the 2008 National Trumpet Competiton and placed second in the International Trumpet Guild competition in Sydney, Australia. He splits his time between touring and playing all over the world and creative projects in Kansas City. Hermon has collaborated with Cat Mahari on BAM! the Workshop, he is also a founding member of Diverse Jazz, Diverse Trio, and The Buhs. He also plays with Peter Schlamb, Making Movies, John Velghe & the Prodigal Sons. Hermon was featured on the world-renowned saxophonist Bobby Watson’s 2013 release, “Check Cashing Day”. More information at: http://www.hermonmehari.com] [Hermon Mehari featuring Peter Schlamb played the 1900 Building, at 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, April 19.]

18. The xx – I See You / Young Turks Recordings / January 13, 2017
[3rd studio album by indie pop band The xx, formed in 2005 in Wandsworth, London. Members met whilst studying at Elliott School, the same school that produced Hot Chip, Burial, Four Tet, and Pierce Brosnan. Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft started the band as a duo when they were 15 with Jamie Smith joining in 2006. I See You is the follow-up to their sophomore album Coexist, and is their first release in more than four years. Produced by Rodaidh McDonald and Jamie xx, who released his solo debut In Colour, May 2015. The band has stated that the record has a more distinctive sound and a more positive, open and “expansive” concept than the previous two albums.][The xx played Starlight Theatre Oct 3, with Perfume Genius.]

19. Momma’s Boy – Liquid Courage EP / Independent / February 25, 2017
[Momma’s Boy, an Indie Surf Pop 4-piece band from KCMO, formed December 2015, and made up of former members of Rev Gusto: Peter Beatty on guitar & vocals, Shaun Crowley on guitar & vocals, Quinn Hernandez on drums, and Jared Bajkowski on bass. Recorded at Element Recording Studios with Joel Nanos. First known for throwing house shows at The Shawnee Manor with local and national acts including Hinds and Glass Animals, Momma’s Boy is leaving the basement to spread their tunes across the Midwest.] [Momma’s Boy released their debut EP, February 25, at 7:00 PM at The Tank Room, with Rachel Mallin and The Wild Type, and Scruffy & the Janitors.] [Momma’s Boy joined us on WMM on February 22.]

20. Jay Som – Everybody Works / Polyvinyl Records / March 10, 2017
[from http://www.jaysom.bandcamp.com: The proper album as Jay Som, Melina Duterte, 22. If last year’s aptly named, Turn Into Compilation showcased a fuzz-loving artist in flux, chronicling her mission to master bedroom recording, then the rising Oakland star’s latest, Everybody Works, is the LP equivalent of mission accomplished. Duterte is as DIY as ever, writing, recording, playing, & producing every sound beyond a few backing vocal, but she takes us places we never could have imagined, wedding lo-fi rock to hi-fi home orchestration, & weaving evocative autobiographical poetry into energetic punk, electrified folk, and dreamy alt-funk. And while Duterte’s early stuff found her bucking against life’s lows, Everybody Works is about turning that angst into fuel for forging ahead. “Last time I was angry at the world,” she says. “This is a note to myself: everybody’s trying their best on their own set of problems & goals. We’re all working for something.” Everybody Works was made in three furious, caffeinated weeks in October. She came home from the road, moved into a new apartment, set up her bedroom studio (with room for a bed this time) and dove in. Duterte even ditched most of her demos, writing half the LP on the spot and making lushly composed pieces like “Lipstick Stains” all the more impressive. While the guitar-grinding Jay Som we first fell in love with still reigns on shoegazey shredders like “1 Billion Dogs” and in the melodic distortions of “Take It,” we also get the sublimely spacious synth-pop beauty of “Remain,” and the luxe, proggy funk of “One More Time, Please.” Duterte’s production approach was inspired by the complexity of Tame Impala, the simplicity of Yo La Tengo, and the messiness of Pixies. “Also, I was listening to a lot of Carly Rae Jepsen to be quite honest,” she says. “Her E•MO•TION album actually inspired a lot of the sounds on Everybody Works.” There’s story in the sounds—even in the fact that Duterte’s voice is more present than before. As for the lyrics, our host leaves the meaning to us. So if we can interpret, there’s a bit about the aspirational and fleeting nature of love in the opener, and the oddity of turning your art into job on the titular track. There’s even one tune, “The Bus Song,” that seems to be written as a dialog between two kids, although it plays like vintage Broken Social Scene and likely has more to do with yearning for things out of reach. While there’s no obvious politics here, Duterte says witnessing the challenges facing women, people of color, and the queer community lit a fire. And when you reach the end of Everybody Works, “For Light,” you’ll find a mantra suitable for anyone trying, as Duterte says, “to find your peace even if it’s not perfect.” As her trusty trumpet blows, she sings: “I’ll be right on time, open blinds for light, won’t forget to climb.”]

21. Perfume Genius – No Shape / Matador / May 5, 2017
[1st single from 4th album . Perfume Genius, is the stage name for Seattle-based solo artist Mike Hadreas who was born in the suburbs of Seattle, Washington. Hadreas studied painting in school and took piano lessons as a child. His mother was a special education teacher,and is now an assistant principal at a middle school. His parents divorced when he was a teenager. Growing up, Hadreas was the only openly gay student at his school, and he received death threats which were not addressed by the administration. He dropped out of high school during his senior year. Two years after dropping out, he was attacked by several young men in his neighborhood. He moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn and worked as a doorman for a club in the East Village. In 2005, Hadreas returned home to Seattle and began recording music. In 2008, Hadreas set up a MySpace page under the name Perfume Genius, and thus began his music career. Hadreas’s music explores topics including sexuality, his personal struggle with Crohn’s disease, domestic abuse, and the dangers faced by gay men in contemporary society. No Shape was produced by Blake Mills (Fiona Apple. John Legend, Alabama Shakes). The album was praised by critics. Pitchfork awarded it an 8.8 and named it “Best New Album”, deeming it “his most realized album yet, a tender and transcendental protest record of love and devotion.” The Guardian commented that “No Shape sounds like a unique talent coming into full bloom.”] [Perfume Genius played Starlight Theatre, October 10, opening for The xx]

22. Valerie June – The Order of Time / June Time – Concord Music / March 10, 2017
[Valerie June Hockett (born January 10, 1982), known as Valerie June, is an Americana singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Her sound encompasses a mixture of folk, blues, gospel, soul, country, Appalachian and bluegrass. June was the oldest of five children. As a child growing up in Humboldt, June was exposed to gospel music at her local church and R&B and soul music via her father. As a teenager, her first job was with her father – a promoter for gospel singers and Prince, K-Ci & JoJo, and Bobby Womack – helping him hang posters in town. June relocated to Memphis in 2000 and began recording and performing at the age of 19, initially with her then-husband Michael Joyner, in the duo Bella Sun. After her marriage ended she began working as a solo artist, combining blues, gospel and Appalachian folk, in a style that she describes as “organic moonshine roots music”, and learning guitar, banjo, and lap-steel guitar. She became associated with the Memphis-based Broken String Collective. After self-releasing three albums, her debut album as a signed artist, Pushin’ Against a Stone, was released in the UK and Europe through Sunday Best Recordings on May 6, 2013, and through Concord Music Group in August 2013. The album includes several songs co-written with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, who co-produced it with Kevin Augunas. The album was so titled to commemorate the story of her life. June said “I feel I’ve spent my life pushing against a stone. And the jobs I’ve had have been fitting for getting a true feel for how the traditional artists I loved came home after a hard day to sit on the porch and play tunes until bedtime.” The record includes performances by Booker T. Jones, who co-wrote one of the songs contained on the album.]

23. Julien Baker – Turn Out The Lights / Matador / October 27, 2017
[2nd solo release from Julien Rose Baker, born Sept 29, 1995. She is a singer & guitarist from Memphis, TN. She released her debut studio album, Sprained Ankle, in 2015. In 2010, Baker cofounded a band called The Star Killers, which renamed itself Forrister in 2015. During her freshman year at MTSU, Baker began writing songs on her own, often in the university practice rooms late at night. With a friend, Michael Hegner, she recorded an EP at Spacebomb Studios, self-released in the winter of 2014 on Bandcamp which became the studio album Sprained Ankle, in October 2015. Sprained Ankle topped many 2015 end-of-the-year lists and its success led to features in The New Yorker and The New York Times. On March 7, 2016 she performed on an NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert where she referenced a new song called Sad Song #11, later released as “Funeral Pyre” with “Distant Solar Systems” as the b-side. Baker has opened for Death Cab for Cutie, Conor Oberst, The Decemberists, Belle & Sebastian, and Paramore. In 2017 she signed to Matador Records. Turn Out the Lights, was recorded at TN’s Ardent Studios with help from Sorority Noise’s Cameron Boucher.]

24. Mess – heartswithholes EP / Mess / August 12, 2017
[KC based band formed by: Allison Gliesman, Kevin Briody, Tanner Pinkerton & Evan Velasquez. Recorded in Edwardsville, Illinois at Bird Cloud Recording. Production & recording by Ryan Wasoba. Mastering by Joel Hatstat in Athens, GA.] [Mess played Crossroads Music Fest, Sept. 9 on KCPT Stage at The Living Room.]

25. The Country Duo – Live At Sun Studio EP / The Country Duo / September 1, 2017
[Recorded live at Sun Studio, Memphis TN on August 14, 2016 for the Sun Studio Sessions television show as seen on PBS across the United States. All songs written by Kasey Rausch on vocals & acoustic guitar, and Marco Pascolini on pedal steel & baritone guitars. Engineered by Curry Weber, assisted by Ples Hampton at Sun Studio. Mixed by Paul Malinowski, Mastered by Chad Meise at Massive Sound, KCMO. Kasey Rausch is one of the first musicians to play live on WMM. She is a 5th generation musician, songwriter and co-producer of River Trade Radio on KKFI 90.1FM. Her family and musical roots can be found in Parkville, Kansas City, the Missouri Ozarks, Winfield, Kansas, and deep Southeast Texas. Her third album, Guitar in Hand debuted at #3 on the Roots Music Reporting charts and was voted one of the top three albums of the year by readers of The Pitch. She was named 2013’s Female Performer of the Year by The Farmer’s Turnpike on KMXN 92.9 FM. Marco Pascolini grew up in a family of artists. His parents were both artists at Hallmark. For more than twenty years Marco Pascolini has built a musical reputation as one of the most well-respected musicians in Kansas City playing in the bands Scott Hrabko and the Rabbits, Folkicide, Dead Voices, Mr. Marco’s V7, Expassionates, the Brannock Device, Snakebite Orphans, the Fred Wickham band, with Kasey Rausch in The Naughty Pines. Marco is also a graphic artist and has desonged multiple album covers and sleve designs including the new Victor & Penny 7″ Single.] [The Country Duo joined us on WMM on November 15.]

26. Betse & Clarke – Tunes We Like / Betse & Clarke / September 13, 2017
[Released only in analog on cassette featuring Betse Ellis on standard & cross-tuned fiddles, Clarke Wyatt on banjos & guitar, and some selections played by the Brushy Creek String Band, with Brett Hodges on guitar and Alex Mallett on bass. Seneca Square Dance is from Fiddlin’ Sam Long, recorded in 1926 for Gennett Records. Long is said to have been the first Ozark fiddler recorded. Many who play the tune today use a different chord progression than was originally recorded by Long. Betse & Clarke used Long’s beautifully simple progression. With Betse on standard fiddle, Clarke on standard G banjo, Brett Hodges on guitar, Alex Mallett on bass. “Tunes We Like” was produced as the first in a series of instrumental recordings. Released at the Walnut Valley Music Festival in Winfield, Kansas, Sept 2017, and represents a returning interest in analog processes. Betse & Clarke will continue this model, with plans to record next on analog reel-to-reel tape for the next release in the series. The music may see an online release and digital distribution, but the plan is that all physical copies will be in analog format. Recorded by Wyatt live with no overdubs at home in KCMO, the instrumental collection highlights traditional Ozark tunes, learned from early string band recordings of the 1920s and from later Ozark heroes such as Bob Holt and soon to be 101 year old Violet Hensley. 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.”] [B & C played live on WMM Oct 4.]

27. Broken Social Scene – Hug of Thunder / Arts & Crafts / July 7, 2017
[Hug of Thunder is the 5th studio album by Toronto, Ontario based, indie rock musical collective Broken Social Scene that was formed in 1999 and continues 15 members. Most of its members play in various other groups and solo projects, mainly in the city of Toronto. These associated acts include Metric, Feist, Stars, Apostle of Hustle, Do Make Say Think, KC Accidental, Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, Amy Millan, and Jason Collett. The group’s sound combines elements of all of its members’ respective musical projects, and is occasionally considered baroque pop. It includes grand orchestrations featuring guitars, horns, woodwinds, and violins, unusual song structures, and an experimental, and sometimes chaotic production style from David Newfeld, who produced the second and third albums.After declaring a hiatus in September 2011, Broken Social Scene performed at the Field Trip Arts & Crafts Music Festival in 2013 and a couple of festivals in 2015, the latter of which prompted band members Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, Charles Spearin, Justin Peroff, and Andrew Whiteman to discuss recording new material. “When we’re working, we understand that there will be a lot more input, so we leave space in the music as we’re writing it,” Spearin said. “We would send out invitations for all the usual crew, and say, ‘Hey, we’re doing this again. Would you be interested in being part of this?'” In the end, 18 musicians were credited on Hug of Thunder. During sessions for the album, Leslie Feist conceived the idea for the title track, her first lead vocal on a Broken Social Scene song since 2006. Drew explained that the title represents “exactly who we are. That is our show. We’re trying to create that hug of thunder. That sound. That embrace amongst the chaos.”]

28. The Magnetic Fields – 50 Song Memoir / Nonesuch Records / March 10, 2017
[50 Song Memoir is the eleventh studio album by American indie pop band The Magnetic Fields. 50 Song Memoir is an autobiographical concept album that chronicles the first 50 years of songwriter Stephin Merritt’s life, with one song for each year that he has lived. Stephin Merritt began recording on his 50th birthday on February 9, 2015. The album was produced by Merritt with additional production by Thomas Bartlett and Charles Newman. Merritt sings on all fifty tracks and plays more than one hundred instruments throughout. 50 Song Memoir is available in five-LP and five-CD editions that include an interview by Daniel Handler and facsimile handwritten lyrics by Stephin Merritt, and as a bound book. The fully staged live shows in support of 50 Song Memoir are directed by José Zayas. The Magnetic Fields have been expanded to include an additional three musicians for the tour, with each of the seven playing seven different instruments. On the tour the band play the entirety of 50 Song Memoir in two halves across two nights at each venue.]

29. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – The Nashville Sound / Southestern / June 16, 2017
[Michael Jason Isbell was born February 1, 1979 and is a singer-songwriter & guitarist from Green Hill, Alabama, two miles from the Alabama/Tennessee state line. He is best known for his solo career, his work with the band The 400 Unit, and as a former member of Drive-By Truckers, from 2001 to 2007. He has won two Grammy Awards. This is the 6th studio album by Jason Isbell, credited with the 400 Unit. It was produced by Dave Cobb, who also produced Isbell’s previous two records: 2013’s Southeastern and 2015’s Something More Than Free. The Nashville Sound was nominated for Best Americana Album in the 2018 Grammy Awards. The 400 Unit, is primarily made up of musicians from the Muscle Shoals, Alabama, area: Sadler Vaden on guitar, backup vocals; Jimbo Hart on bass, backup vocals; Derry DeBorja on keyboard, accordion, backup vocals; Chad Gamble on drums, backup vocals; Amanda Shires on fiddle, backup vocals. “The 400 Unit” is a colloquial name for the psychiatric ward of Florence, Alabama’s Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, which is now named the Behavioral Health Center, and is located on the hospital’s first floor. It was originally called the 400 unit because it was in a separate building from the main building’s 3-story hospital. After renovation in the 1980s, the name was changed. Isbell married singer-songwriter and violinist Amanda Shires, with whom he’d worked on and off for a decade, in February 2013, two days after they finished Southeastern. Musician Todd Snider married them. The couple had a baby girl, Mercy Rose, on September 1, 2015. Isbell has lived in Nashville, Tennessee, since 2011. He is an Atlanta Braves fan and a Democrat. In November of 2017 Isbell was asked on Twitter “Why do we have to inject politics in every aspect of our life can’t we just enjoy the music and the football games?” He responded “Until you are the one being treated unfairly, that’s easy to say.”]

30. Sampha – Process / Young Turks Recordings / February 3, 2017
[Sampha Sisay was born November 16, 1988. He performs under the mononym Sampha. He is a British singer, songwriter and record producer from Morden, South London, United Kingdom. Sampha is known widely for his collaborative work with SBTRKT, Jessie Ware, Drake, Kanye West, Solange and others. Sampha has released two solo EPs: Sundanza (2010) and Dual (2013). Sampha’s debut album, Process, won the 2017 Mercury Prize.]

31. Of Tree – Sorry We’re Chosen EP / Of Tree / June 1, 2017
[Of Tree is Benjamin Parks on guitar & vocals, Laurel Morgan Parks on violin & fiddle & vocals and John Bersuch on percussion & sub-bass. The band explains “we like to build layers, loop strings, bow guitars and mix sampled beats with real ones as a backdrop for melodies on voice and traditional instruments. Emotional and expressive, our music draws inspiration from loss and triumph, failure and hope.” Of Tree began in 2009 and has taken many forms as it has evolved over time, including a full 5 piece folk band and, at one time, a classical trio backing Parks’ voice and guitar. Of Tree launched a Kickstarter Campaign to help record their new album and release their music on vinyl. Of Tree have been actively writing music for this project since the summer of 2016. Laurel writes “As a married couple its been quite a road for us to be able work through music together without taking things too personally (as people in relationships tend to do), but the magic happened last summer when music started pouring out of us and we were able just allow it to happen. Both of us come from fairly strict religious backgrounds and a lot of our lyrics have to do with healing from those experiences. We also deal with themes of finding new footing in life, moving beyond the past and letting go. Really this album is all about healing on a very personal level.” Laurel writes that she is, “very interested in pushing the boundaries of what instrumentation I can marry to my classical violin training. I have been cross pollinating between electronic music I write on the computer using midi inputs with melodies I write on my violin. I enjoy putting a techno beat behind a folk instrument such as the Kalimba or chime and then morphing that into a journey of layered strings and melodic hooks. I am always interested in melody over lyrics. A lot of the music I wrote for this album is inspired from studying folk traditions such as Celtic fiddling, thematic movie music and Peruvian icaros. ” John Bersuch, has been playing with Of Tree since November of 2016. He adds tasteful beats and enjoys thinking outside the box. He once brought a tree to an “Of Tree” show and played it as a percussive instrument. Ben Parks is a visual artist who also plays in the band Slights with Matthew Dunehoo. Laurel Parks also plays in The Wires, John Bersuch is in Bacon Shoe, RLT, and many others.][Of Tree joined us on WMM on May 24]

32. KD Kuro – Good-Luck / Kwame Boateng / August 1, 2017
[This track was produced by Chase the Horseman. KD Kuro is the musical project of Kwame Boateng, a Kansas City based rapper. He was born in Arlington, Virginia, and graduated from Olathe South High School in 2008. After attending Coffeyville Community College Kwame as KD Kuro started his rap career in 2012 and has been cultivating and refining his sound over the course of the last 5 years. Kwame grew up with musical influences like N.E.R.D and Missy Elliot that helped to mold the music he creates. His debut album was co-produced by Chase the Horseman and Nathan “Geesace” Gisecke. KD Kuro’s debut album is available at: http://www.kwamekuro.bandcamp.com] [KD Kuro Kwame Boateng & Chase The Horseman joined us live on WMM on Aug 2.]

33. Lovergurl – The President is a Sex Offender EP / Lovergurl / May 19, 2017
[The Kansas City 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. 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 25 years old and 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 Yhe B-52s, The Velvet Underground, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Lovergurl guitarist and vocalist, Heather Andrews is also 25. She was born and raised in Rhode Island, and moved to Kansas City in 2011 and fell in love with the city.] [Lovergurl joined us live on WMM on May 17.]

34. The Whiffs – Take A Whiff / High Dive Records / March 1, 2017
[Kansas City based power pop 4-piece band featuring members of Conquerors, Wet Ones, and Nubiles. Zach Campbell on bass & vocals, Rory Cameron on guitar & vocals, Nic Allred on guitar & vocals, Jake Cardwell on drums. Recorded and mixed by Vincent Lawhon at Element Studios, Kansas City, MO] [The Whiffs played The Riot Room, Thursday, July 21, with The Coathangers, and Residuals.]

35. St. Vincent – MASSEDUCTION / Loma Vista – Concord / October 13. 2017
[5th studio album from St. Vincent who is also known as Anne Erin “Annie” Clark who was born September 28, 1982. Masseduction has been described as the “culmination of years of writing, with songs crafted from voice memos, text messages, and snippets of melodies that came to Clark while traveling the globe.” Clark has stated that the album focuses on themes of power, sex, drugs, sadness, imperiled relationships and death. In a press release, she stated: “every record I make has an archetype. Strange Mercy was Housewives on Pills. St. Vincent was Near-Future Cult Leader. Masseduction is different, it’s pretty first person. You can’t fact-check it, but if you want to know about my life, listen to this record.” Annie Clark was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her mother is a social worker turned administrator for a non-profit organization and her stepfather works in the tax business. Clark’s parents divorced when she was three years old, and she moved to Dallas, Texas when she was seven years old with her mother and two older sisters. Her father lives in Tulsa. Clark was raised Roman Catholic and Unitarian Universalist. From her parents’ blended families, Clark has eight siblings: four brothers and four sisters. She began playing the guitar at the age of 12 and, as a teenager, worked as a roadie for her uncle and aunt, Tuck Andress and Patti Cathcart, of the guitar-vocal jazz duo Tuck & Patti. After studying at Berklee College of Music for three years, she began her music career as a member of the Polyphonic Spree. Clark was also a member of Sufjan Stevens’s touring band before forming her own band in 2006. St. Vincent’s work has received consistent praise for its distinct musical style, which blends soft rock, experimental rock, electropop, and jazz influences. Her debut album was Marry Me (2007), followed by Actor (2009) and Strange Mercy (2011). She released a collaborative album with David Byrne in 2012 titled Love This Giant. Clark also contributed backing vocals for Swans on their 2014 album, To Be Kind. Her fourth solo album, self-titled St. Vincent, was released on February 25, 2014 and was named album of the year by The Guardian, Entertainment Weekly, NME, and Slant Magazine, as well as second best album of the year by Time magazine. The album won her a Grammy for Best Alternative Album, her first Grammy award. She was the first solo female performer in 20 years to win a Grammy in that category.][St. Vincent played The Uptown Theatre, Nov 19.]

36. Kevin Morby – City Music / Dead Oceans / June 16, 2017
[4th release from Kevin Robert Morby born April 2, 1988. 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 with positive reviews. His 2nd album Still Life was released in 2014. His last album Singing Saw was one of our 116 Best Recordings of 2016] [Kevin Morby played The Madrid, September 14, opening for The Mountain Goats.]

37. Jametatone – Empty Bliss EP / J. Ashley Miller / March 21, 2017
[New EP from Jametatone, the solo project of J. Ashley Miller who also records with his band as Metatone. J. Ashley Miller is the The 2016 Charlotte Street Generative Performing Artist Award Fellow. He is a composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. His genre-bending trans-modern work has been performed everywhere from YJ’s to the Kauffman Performing Arts Center, to the MoMa PS1 in NYC. Ashley utilizes a diverse range of technologies, techniques, and collaborators to access obscure facets of the human emotional landscape. Jametatone opened all four shows at The Outburst KC, where Calvin Arsenia performed his 2017 Release Catastrophe Unplugged with guest musicians Beau Bledsoe, Fritz Hutchinson, Mark Southerland, and artist & vocalist Seth M. Jones. You can view more of Ashley’s work at http://www.jametatone.com.][Jametatone played The Ship, 1217 Union Avenue, in the West Bottoms, on Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, with Natural Man & The Gland Band, and Takin’ A Dive.]

38. Instant Karma – Trying To Find My Mind EP / Independent / July 22, 2017
[Instant Karma! is a 4 piece psych/soul rock band from Kansas City, MO. Cole Bales on vocals & guitar, Cody Calhoun on guitar, Branden Moser on bass, Zach Harris on drums. All songs written by Instant Karma. Mixed by Zach Harris. Mastered at Eureka Mastering. Colby Bales and Cody Calhoun met in High School. They have been playing music together for 5 years. Thet became friends after forming the band. Instant Karma bass player Branden Moser has called the band, “a drug trip through the soul section of your local record store.” Instant Karma’s influences range from The Black Keys to Syl Johnson to the Wu Tang Clan. Instant Karma played an EP Release Show, Saturday, July 22, at Revolution Records. Instant Karma played Lawrence Field Day Fest, Thursday, July 13.] [Members of the band joined us live on WMM on July 12.]

39. Broken Arrows – Extended Play EP / Broken Arrows / March 18, 2017
[KC/Lawrence based 5-piece band, formed by Mike Penner on lead guitar & vocals; Bill Ryan on lead guitar, keyboards & vocals; John Chevalier on bass guitar & vocals; Barry Lee on guitar & vocals; and Dave Storms on drums. Broken Arrows got together to play a Neil Young Tribute at Davey’s Uptown in 2015. They received such a positive reaction and enjoyed playing together so they decided to continue as a band. This song was written by Mike Penner who also sings lead vocals. Both John Chevalier and Dave Storms were previously in The Waspmen. Both have played extensively with many different bands in the Kansas City area. Mike Penner and Bill Ryan were previously in the KC power pop band, Honeywagen. Barry Lee had only played music very few times in public prior to the formation of this band. This is his first band. Mike Penner, Bill Ryan and John Chevalier are the principle songwriters for the band. They play mostly original material and some obscure covers.] [Broken Arrows premiered their debut EP, “Extended Play” with a Special Release show, March 18, at Records With Merritt.] [Broken Arrows joined us live on the WMM on March 15]

40. Phoebe Bridgers – Stranger in the Alps / Dead Oceans / Sept. 22, 2017
[Phoebe Bridgers was born August 17, 1994, and is from Los Angeles, California. Bridgers released her major label debut 7″ on Ryan Adams record label, PAX AM. In early 2016, Bridgers supported Julien Baker on her 2016 East Coast tour. Bridgers is a graduate of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. In 2014 she was featured in a commercial for the Apple iPhone singing a cover of “Gigantic” by the Pixies. In June 2017, Phoebe Bridgers signed to Dead Oceans. The Alps was produced by Tony Berg and Ethan Gruska.]

41. David George – Here I Go Again EP / David George / April 14, 2017
[First of 3 seperate releases from David George in 2017. Produced by David George. Engineered & Mixed by Pat Tomek. Mastered by Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlabs. Photography & cover designed by Paul Andrews. David George on vocals, acoustic guitars; Erik Voeks on acoustic guitar, bass, vocals; Ben Byard on bass, mandolin, vocals; Mike Stover on pedal steel. Strings on “Live Love Lost” arranged by CJ Vanston & Adam Liebreich-Johnsen. Christine Broxterman on cello, violin. Ben Byard on violin; Joe Donley on upright bass. All songs written by David George. David released his 2nd EP, Won’t Let Go, on October 13. Recorded at Weights & Measures. Recorded, Mixed, & Mastered by Duane Trower. David George on vocals & guitar, Mike Stover on pedal steel, David Luther, Erik Voeks, Ben Byard & Camry Ivory on harmony vocals. David George also released the single “Can’t Fight Love” on April 7, 2017 benefiting the ACLU. Recorded live at Weights & Measures Recorded, Mixed, & Mastered by Duane Trower, March 2, 2017. Produced by David George. Written by David George, Jen Appell, & Nathan Corsi, w/ David George on guitar & vocals (Verse 1 & 5), David Luther on vocals (Verse 2), Jen Appell on guitar & vocals (verse 3), Nathan Corsi on guitar & vocals (Verse 4) , Erin McGrane on ukelele & vocals, Jeff Freling on guitar & vocals , Gordon gilges on dulcimer & vocals , Kristina Ning on upright bass & vocals , Matt Cathlina on upright bass & vocals, Nathan Showalter n piano & vocals, Daniel Starling on piano & vocals, Liam Summicht on cajón & vocals, Phil Jaggard on Vocals, Mark Manning on vocals, John Keck on guitar & vocals, Nate Nall on guitar & vocals, Jessica Paige on vocals, Dave Tanner on vocals. Also this year David George and Erik Voeks performed together or multiple shows as The Volker Brothers. More info: http://www.davidgeorgeband.com]

42. Run With It – How To Start A Fire EP / Run With It / March 24, 2017
[The Kansas City based band Run With it includes Miguel Caraballo on lead vocals & guitar, Ben Byard on bass & vocals, and Daniel Cole on drums, The power trio are known for their energetic live shows, leaving it all on the stage, and working their musical assets to make their audiences happy. The band stays very busy touring, and recording. How To Start A Fire, recorded with producer Josh Gleave. Miguel Carabello was born June 11, 1980 and is originally from Junction City, Kansas. Ben Byard grew up in El Dorado Kansas, and plays in David George and A Crooked Mile. Daniel Cole was born April 8, 1991 and graduated from Lee’s Summit West HS in 2009. Run With It have played all over the world including western Ukraine in Khitar. More information at: http://www.runwithitband.com][Run With It joined us live on WMM on March 22.]

43. Erica Joy – Erica Joy, Introduction EP / Independent / February 3, 2017
[26 year old Kansas City based singer songwriter was Born April 8, 1991, and grew up in Springfield Missouri and ent to Kickapoo High, graduating in 2009. Erica Joy graduated from UMKC in 2013. In 2015 her first single “Fun to Hold You” was released and remained in Homegrown Buzz’s rotation for over a year. EJ then released a full EP titled “Introduction” on February 3rd 2017 at Record Bar. For this recording Erica Joy on vocals, Britt Wild on lead guitar, Khitam Jabr on acoustic guitar,. Recorded and produced by Kyle Ward at Counterpoint Studio. This year Erica Joy also played Middle of The Map Fest, she was part of the HearQueer Issuue 001 launch, she has a new band, and is writing and recording new music with Colby Bales (of lead guitarits Instant Karma) Zach Harris (drummer of Instant Karma) and Branden Moser (bassist with Instant Karma) More information at: http://www.ericajoymusic.com,] [Erica Joy played an intimate theatre show, October 1st, at 7:00 PM, at Westport Coffeehouse Theatre debuting new songs, and playing new backing band – Colby Bales, Zach Harris, and Branden Moser. More at: http://www.ericajoymusic.com] [Erica Joy joined us live on WMM on September 13.]

44. The Sluts – Only One / The Sluts / May 25, 2017
[New 5 song EP from the Lawrence based band The Sluts formed by Ryan Wise & Kristoffer Dover in 2011.]

45. Beck – Colors / Fonograf – Capitol / October 13, 2017
[13th studio album from Beck Hansen, born July 8, 1970. Colors was recorded at co-executive producer Greg Kurstin’s LA studio, with Beck & Kurstin playing nearly every instrument themselves. Beck rose to fame in the early 1990s with his sonically experimental and lo-fi style, and became known for creating musical collages of wide genre styles. Today, he musically encompasses folk, funk, soul, hip hop, electronic, alt rock, country, and psychedelia. He has released 13 studio albums (3 of which were independently released), as well as several non-album singles and a book of sheet music.] [At the height of his first hit single “Loser” fame, on April 13, 1994, Beck played Kansas City’s Rhumba Box 1012 McGee. The Rhumba Box lasted from the summer of 1993 to the spring of 1994. Prior to The Rhumba Box, 1012 Megee was home to Human Observation Lab. In 1987 a group of UMKC students called Stimulus and Response took over the defunct gay bath house, Club Bath, at 1012 McGee and opened The Human Observation Lab. At night, this downtown neighborhood was basically deserted except for the old bus station, a few dive bars, and street prostitution. The Lab’s proprietors rehabbed the building into a two story live/work space that evolved into a legendary live performance venue. Gorilla Theatre, Eyes Wide Open, Mongol Beach Party, The Cocktails, and DJ Ray Velasquez are just a few of the off-the-wall performers that evolved out of this underground venue.]

46. The New Pornographers – Whiteout Conditions / Concord Music / January 27, 2017
[Seventh album from Canadian indie rock band formed in 1997 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Presented as a musical collective of singer-songwriters and musicians from multiple projects, the band’s seven studio albums have all received critical acclaim for their use of multiple vocalists and elements of power pop incorporated into their music. The album features: Carl Newman on vocals & guitar, Neko Case on vocals, John Collins –on bass, Blaine Thurier on keyboards & synthesizer, Todd Fancey on lead guitar, Kathryn Calder on vocals, keyboards & guitar, and Joe Seiders on drums & vocals. This is the first album not to feature either longtime drummer Kurt Dahle or singer-songwriter Dan Bejar.]

47. Curtis Harding – Face Your Fear / Anti / October 27, 2017
[Curtis Harding is an American soul singer, born in Saginaw, Michigan. Raised as a Mennonite, Harding’s family had no home until they settled in Atlanta, Georgia, when he was 14. Harding’s father, a mechanic, and his mother Dorothy, a gospel singer, took Harding and his five siblings around the United States in a van, stopping at churches. While his mother performed, Harding grew up playing music, though he originally wanted to play professional sports. In the early 2000s, Harding was part of the hip-hop group Proseed. He rapped on and co-wrote CeeLo Green’s 2002 album Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections along with several Proseed members. He toured with Green as a backing singer on the Smokin’ Grooves Tour in 2002 alongside Outkast, Cypress Hill, Lauryn Hill, and The Roots. Harding spent time working with groups in Atlanta before moving to Toronto for a year. A year later, he “came back to record with some friends in my living room.” From these sessions came his debut album, Soul Power, on the indie label Burger Records, released May 6, 2014. He spent two weeks recording the album. Randy Michael composed the music on the single “Keep on Shining”, and Jason Reynolds co-wrote “Heaven’s on the Other Side” with Harding.He formed the band Night Sun with two Black Lips members, guitarist Cole Alexander and drummer Joe Bradley. His second album, Face Your Fear, was recorded at Danger Mouse’s 30th Century Studio in New York City. “Wednesday Morning Atonement” is the opening single. Harding will appear in Sundance TV’s period drama series Hap and Leonard. He will portray two characters: L.C. Soothe and his grandson, Bobby Joe. Harding describes his genre as “slop ‘n’ soul”, a combination of gospel, punk, psych rock, and blues. He has said that his influences include Albert King, the Everly Brothers, and Ronnie Dyson.]

48. Mad Libby – Locks Unlocked EP / Mad Libby / March 4, 2017
[Kansas City based Power Punk 4-piece band formed by: Jennifer Roswold on lead vocals & guitar, Rob Adams on lead guitar, Dana E Scott on drums & backup vocals, and Jessica White on bass & backup vocals.][Mad Libby played 90.1 FM’s Crossroads Music Festival, Sept 9, ay 7:15 at The Brick, 1727 McGee.]

49. Jackie Shane – Jackie Shane: Any Other Way / Numero Group / October 20, 2017
[Jackie Shane was born May 15, 1940. She is an American former soul and rhythm and blues singer, who was most prominent in the local music scene of Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the 1960s. She is originally from Nashville, Tennessee. In 1960, Shane moved to Montreal, Quebec, where saxophonist King Herbert Whitaker invited a young Shane along to watch the popular band Frank Motley and his Motley Crew at the Esquire Show Bar. Shane, who showed up in a bright red dress and her hair done up, sat down near the front. When Motley said, “Get that kid up here and let’s see what they can do,” pianist Curley Bridges invited her up onstage for the next set, where she performed songs by Ray Charles and Bobby “Blue” Bland. She was soon the band’s lead vocalist, and relocated to Toronto with them in late 1961. She sometimes returned to the United States to perform shows in Nashville, Boston, and Los Angeles. A fan mythology linked her to Little Richard, including claims that she had been Richard’s backing vocalist before moving to Canada or even that she was Richard’s cousin, although no verification of either claim has ever been found and no evidence exists that Shane ever made either claim herself. Music critic Carl Wilson has concluded that, while in reality Shane had deep and identifiable roots in the traditions of the Southern US Chitlin’ Circuit, the mythology emerged because that scene’s traditions were not known to Torontonians in the 1960s, and thus Little Richard was the only antecedent for Shane’s style that most of her local fan base could identify. Throughout her active musical career and for many years thereafter, Shane was written about by nearly all sources as a man who performed in drag. The few sources that actually sought out her own words on the matter of her own gender identification were more ambiguous, however; she identified herself as male in two early quotes to the Toronto Star, but more often appeared to simply dodge questions about her gender altogether. Her identity as a trans woman was not confirmed on the record by a media outlet until 2017. CBC Radio’s Inside the Music aired a documentary feature, “I Got Mine: The Story of Jackie Shane”, in 2010. At the time, nobody involved in the documentary had been able to determine whether Shane was still living; she was subsequently found still alive in Nashville.Footage of Shane in performance also appeared in Bruce McDonald’s 2011 documentary television series Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories. Jackie Shane Live was reissued in 2011 on Vintage Music as Live at the Sapphire Tavern, although the reissue was labelled as being from 1963 (the date of the original live performance) instead of 1967 (the release date of the album). The reissue also included Shane’s performances from Honkin’ at Midnight as bonus tracks. A compilation album of the studio singles and rarities, Soul Singles Classics, was released the same year. In 2015, the Polaris Music Prize committee shortlisted Jackie Shane Live as one of the nominees for the 1960s-1970s component of its inaugural Heritage Award to honor classic Canadian albums. It was shortlisted for the prize again in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, a group of Toronto writers published the essay anthology Any Other Way: How Toronto Got Queer, a history of LGBT culture in Toronto; in addition to taking its title from Shane’s 1962 single, the book includes an essay devoted specifically to Shane. In the summer of 2017, the reissue label Numero Group announced that they would be releasing a double-LP/CD compilation of Shane’s music, Any Other Way, on October 20, 2017. The album marks the first time since her final single in 1969 that Shane has been directly involved in the production and release of a reissue of her music.]

50. Hurray For The Riff Raff – The Navigator / ATO Records / March 10, 2017
[Hurray for the Riff Raff is an American folk-blues and Americana band from New Orleans, Louisiana formed by lead singer and songwriter Alynda Segarra. Segarra was raised by her aunt Nereida in the Bronx where she developed an early appreciation for doo-wop and Motown. She is of Puerto Rican descent. Her mother was former New York City Deputy Mayor Ninfa Segarra. Segarra became a regular attendee of hardcore punk shows at ABC No Rio when she was young. She left her home in the Bronx at age 17, spending time crossing North America, hopping freight trains. During this time, around 2007, Segarra became a part of the Dead Man Street Orchestra, a band that was documented in a photo essay by Time Magazine in 2007. After two self-released albums, 2008’s It Don’t Mean I Don’t Love You and 2010’s Young Blood Blues, Hurray for the Riff Raff released a self-titled CD composed of Segarra’s favorite songs from those records on Loose Music in Europe on March 21, 2011. Tracks from the band’s debut release received airplay on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music. In February 2011, the band were featured in an article in The Times, based around the HBO TV series, Treme, with their track “Daniella” being listed in their selection of New Orleans’ essential songs. In May 2012, Hurray for the Riff Raff released Look Out Mama on their own label, Born to Win Records. Loose Music released Look Out Mama in Europe on August 20, 2012. The album was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee at The Bomb Shelter Studios and produced by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes).In February 2014, Hurray for the Riff Raff had their ATO Records debut, Small Town Heroes. The record features original songs written or co-written by Segarra, and features fiddler Yosi Perlstein, keyboard player Casey McAllister, and two members of The Deslondes: Sam Doores on guitar and Dan Cutler on bass.]

51. Japanese Breakfast – Soft Sounds from Another Planet / Dead Oceans / July 14, 2017
[Japanese Breakfast is the solo musical project of Michelle Zauner of Little Big League. Under the alias, Zauner has released two studio albums: Psychopomp (2016) and Soft Sounds from Another Planet (2017). Prior to her solo project, Michelle Zauner fronted Post Post, an indie pop band with students from Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges, then started the Philadelphian emo band Little Big League. Zauner fronted the band between 2011 and 2014, before returning to her hometown of Eugene, Oregon in 2013. Zauner made the trek back home in the wake of her mother being diagnosed with cancer.While at home, tending her family in Oregon, Zauner began recording solo music. Zauner described the project as having much more to say following Tropical Jinx, the 2014 studio album by Little Big League. Originally, Zauner had begun to record early samples of music as a self-meditative and “instant-gratification” feeling.[3] Two years later, the solo project itself eventually became the work of Psychopomp the debut album by Japanese Breakfast. The name of the band, according to Zauner is a juxtaposition of Asian exoticism and American culture. Despite the name, Zauner is not of Japanese descent, but Korean descent.Zauner described the debut album as quite “dark and heavy-handed”, although she had a desire to make the music, urgent and “sonically upbeat.” On June 23, 2016, the Japanese Breakfast project was signed to the Dead Oceans label.]

52. Nature Boys – 3LP / Mandible Records / April 28, 2017
[Danny Fischer on guitar & vocals, Suzanne Hogan on bass & vocals, Evan Malone on drums. Nature Boys started playing together in Kansas City, MO in September of 2009. They had their first show at Dave’s Stagecoach Inn and then left for their first tour in January of 2010. They’ve released all three of their abums and one single on vinyl. Nature Boys spend most of their time on the road,. The band played 31 shows throughout Europe in June and July of 2017.]

53. Erin Keller – Distracted / Erin Keller / May 9, 2017
[KC based vocalist Erin Keller is originally from Waukee, Iowa. She was born in August, in 1980. Erin has been singing on a professional level for 25 years. Erin sang with the internationally competitive Des Moines Children’s Choir for 5 years, and 3 years in All-State choir in high school, which helped her earn a voice performance degree from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, in 2002. Erin peforms with the Grammy-Award winning Kansas City Chorale. Erin has also worked as a featured soloist with Owen Cox Dance Ensemble, New Ear, KC jazz musicians, the big band at University of Colorado, a West African Highlife Ensemble, the Balkan brass band Gora Gora Orkestar. Erin also has experience writing her own music, singing in rock, folk, and free improv settings and she more recently earned a Master’s in Music Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder. In Colorado she worked for two years in public schools teaching music and moved back to KC to continue her career as musician and educator. In April Erin released her new album, “Distracted,” and has been playing live shows while also being upfront and honest about her recent cancer diagnosis where she has received multiple rounds of chemo treatments. Erin Keller wrote the song “Distracted” and recorded her songs with Chad Meise. Immediatedly after the album was released Erin diagnosed with liver cancer and began treatments, while also going through a divorce, and moving to a new home. Throughour her chemo treatments Erin continued performing and producing shows, keeping an incredible sense of humor and strenght through such a difficult period. She has successfully completed multiple round of chemo and the cancer is gone form her body, although she is currently recovering in the hospital from compliations for surgery. We wish her well and send her all our love.] [Erin joined us live on the show on August 16.]

54. Eems – Rocket Ship EP / Independent / August 11, 2017
[Eems is Phillip Jackson, a KC based ukulele loop artist, singer songwriter, rapper, pianist, drummer, The resonance of his bright musical sounds, and lyrical calls, are woven through genres of folk, hip hop, pop, and dance influences. He has shared the stage with notable hop hop artists, and KC Folk Music Fest, Middle of The Map Fest.] [EEMS plays the Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, Sept 9, at MOD Gallery, 1809 McGee.]

55. Diet Cig – Swear I’m Good At This / Father Daughter Records / April 7, 2017
[Pop-punk duo Alex Luciano on vocals & guitar, Noah Bowman on drums met at a house show in New Paltz, New York, in the summer of 2014. Bowman’s old band, Earl Boykins, was playing at the house show, where Luciano needed a cigarette lighter. She interrupted the band’s set to ask Bowman for one, but he gave her a bottle of wine instead. Afterwards, Luciano got his number and told him she’d make a music video for him. The next day, Bowman tattooed a daisy on Luciano’s foot and by August 2014, the pair were making music together. They officially named their act Diet Cig in September 2014. Luciano and Bowman confirmed. Swear I’m Good At This was produced, engineered and mixed by Christopher Daly at Salvation Recording Co. in New Paltz, NY with additional recording at Atomic Sound in New York City, and additional engineering by Travis DeJong and Dakota Bowman. It was mastered by Jamal Ruhe at West West Side.]

56. Khrystal. – Quarter Century Living / Khrystal. / September 1, 2017
[Khrystal’s debut EP. Written and performed by Khrystal. Produced by Katheryne Johnson. Khrystal Coppage is Editor-in-Chief of Khorage Magazine. She served as Production Manager at UMKC University News from 2015 to 2016. She graduated from UMKC in 2016 where she studied Family Studies. She graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College in 2013. She is a graduate of Sumner Academy of Arts & Science, in KCK. http://mixtapemonkey.com/2073/khrystal-q-u-a-r-t-e-r-c-e-n-t-u-r-y-l-i-v-i-n-g. Late this year, Khrystal also released the three song EP, The Glow Up produced by Duncan Burnett on Novembr 7, 2017. [Khrystal. played Plus Vibes Only w/ Duncan Burnett x Riot at Thursday, October 12, at 7:00 PM, at recordBar, 1520 Grand, with Sauce, Mae C., Kartez Marcel, with sounds by Leonard Destroy.]

57. The National – Sleep Well Beast / 4AD / September 8, 2017
[Sleep Well Beast is the 7th studio album by The National, an American indie rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio, formed in 1999. Currently based in Brooklyn, the band consists of Matt Berninger (vocals), Aaron Dessner (guitar, 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.]

58. Sheer Mag – Need To Feel Your Love / WILSUN RC / July 14, 2017
[Sheer Mag is an American rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 2014. Members include: Tina Halladay, Kyle Seely, Hart Seely, Matt Palmer, Ian Dykstra With a combination of 1970s rock and punk ethos, the band has continued to gather attention and has released three 7-inch EPs as of March 2016. In January 2015, Rolling Stone featured the band as one of “10 New Artists You Need To Know”, describing them as “a gang of punks with a not-so-secret love of Seventies classic rock.”Four of five band members attended the State University of New York at Purchase. In 2016, the band was part of the Coachella 2016 line-up and performed on Late Night with Seth Myers. On May 10, 2017, Sheer Mag released “Need To Feel Your Love,” the first track off their first full-length record, Need To Feel Your Love.] [Sheer Mag played The Bottleneck, in Lawrence, KS, with Laffing Gas, The Whiffs, and Nancy Boys]

59. Pink Royal – Do You Mind EP / Pink Royal / September 12, 2017
[Experimental groove pop, 5-piece band based in Lawrence, Kansas with Steven LaCour on guitar & vocals, Josh Dorrell on guitar & vocals, Alex Hartmann on drums, Nick Carswell on bass & vocals, Vik Govindarajan on Keyboards & vocals. Music and Lyrics by Pink Royal (except Tracks 3 & 6 by Pink Royal and Dylan Guthrie.) Recorded and produced by Jim Barnes. Mastered by Dalton Brand at WaveBurner Recording.]

60. Soul Revival – Back to Love EP / Soul Revival / June 2, 2017
[Debut EP from R & B – Soul duo, Soul Revival, KCK based producer, and musician and keyboard player, Desmond Mason is originally from Los Angeles. He went to Southeast High school and studied History and Higher Education at UMKC. Desmond has worked at Park University, and the American Jazz Museum. Desmond is a versatile performer and composer, who describes his music as “firmly rooted in KC Kazz, R & B, gospel, and hip-hop music and strives to be something that the audience can feel in their spirit.” Derick Cunigan is a singer, songwriter who is originally from St. Louis, Missouri. He studied broadcasting at Northwest Missouri State University. He has worked for KMBC, Steel City Media and KBEQ, KFKF, KCTV5. More info at http://www.soulrevivalmusic.com]

61. Hembree – Had It All EP / Ribbon Music / Expected November 3. 2017
[Formed in November of 2015, band members include: Isaac Flynn, Garrett Childers, and Eric Davis. “Had It All” the single was released July 26, 2017. Engineered by: Isaac Flynn and Hembree. Produced by: Eric Hillman and Hembree. Mixed by: Joe Visciano. Mastered by: TW Walsh. Hemmer are currently on a multiple city North American tour opening for JR JR, the band formally known as Dale Earnhart Jr. JR JR is Detroit-area natives: Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott.]

62. Black Stacey – Electric Chariot / Sharaden Staten / June 2 2017
[Black Stacey is Sharaden Staten, a Missouri native, whose music brings the spirit of “Electric Church” to the Midwest. 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 (Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear, Radkey, Sly/Robbie & the Taxi Gang). More infor at http://www.blackstacey.com.]

63. Claire Adams – Waiting for The Winds to Change / KG&G Records / October 22, 2017
[1st single from 5-song EP, featuring new recordings of original songs by Claire Adams on vocals, guitar, & bass; Katy Guillen on guitar & harmony vocals; Lennon Bone on drums. Recorded, mixed & mastered by Duane Trower at Weights + Measures Soundlab, Kansas City, MO. More info at: http://www.claireadamsmusic.com]

64. The MGDs – Somos Como Somos EP / The MGDs / November 4, 2017
[From the band’s new EP, their 3rd studio release. Matt Davis on drums, percussion & vocals, Greg Bush on bass, Damon Parker on keyboards & vocals, Scott “Snoof” Middleton on guitar, Rudy Vasquez on saxophones, and Eric Martens on trumpet. This Kansas City based 6-piece band that mixes piano and brass with a dynamic rhythm section that adds a unique flavor to the iconic Kansas City music culture, blending of funk and blues with soulful stylings. In what started as a 3-piece between longtime friends in 2008, the MGDs have evolved into a potent powerhouse, high-energy ensemble with regular monthly appearances at the Phoenix, and appearances at the Sunset Music Fest, the City Market Crawfish Fest, the 6th annual Phoenix Fest, Crossroads Music Fest, Middle of The Map Fest, Boulevardia, The Plaza Art Fair, Kauffman Stadium before two Kansas City Royals games. In 2016 the band released their 2nd studio LP, “Wake Up”.] [The MGDs played an EP Release show, Saturday, November 4, at 9:00 pm, at The Black Dolphin.]

65. Via Luna – Wilt EP / Via Luna / April 28, 2017
[3rd EP release in 3 years form the KC based Instrumental Post Rock / Math Rock band, with Gregory Baker on guitar, Christopher Gordon on guitar, Mike McDonough on drums, and Blain Bridges on bass.] [Via Luna played an EP Release Show for Wilt, April 28, at Californos, with Le Grand, Riala, and Parents.]

66. Laura Marling – Semper Femina / More Alarming Records / March 10, 2017
[6th studio album from Laura Beatrice Marling was born February 1, 1990, from Eversley, Hampshire. Her debut album Alas, I Cannot Swim, her second album I Speak Because I Can, and her fourth album Once I Was An Eagle were all nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2008, 2010, and 2013, respectively. She won the Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist at the 2011 Brit Awards, and was nominated for the same award at the 2012 and 2014 Brit Awards. The youngest of three daughters, Marling learned guitar at an early age. Her father, Sir Charles William Somerset Marling, the 5th Marling Baronet, ran a recording studio, introduced her to folk music and shaped her musical taste, an experience that Marling later described as, “a bit of a blessing and a bit of a curse….[because] I couldn’t slot myself into the age-appropriate genre”. Marling received a scholarship to attend Leighton Park School, a private Quaker school in Reading, Berkshire. During her secondary school years she felt uneasy around other people and was afraid of death. Marling dated Noah and the Whale singer/guitarist Charlie Fink briefly before the pair separated in 2008. She also dated Marcus Mumford of Mumford and Sons until late 2010. She moved to Silver Lake in Los Angeles, California in 2013, before relocating back to London in December 2014. In September 2013, Marling explained: “I am a solitary person but I love people, I’m not a misanthrope. I like the idea of speaking only when it’s strictly necessary. The closest I ever feel to people is in shared experience. I’m still exploring that, I don’t know where it’s going to lead me.]

67. Pageant Boys – Shadowboxing EP / The Record Machine / May 19, 2017
[On what was originally slated to be a short trip to Istanbul, Alex Sheppard started recording music with his girlfriend’s laptop and a bluetooth headphone mic. None of Sheppard’s previous musical efforts incorporated electronics in a major way; “It was born of necessity,” says Sheppard. The songs on his new EP, Shadowboxing, came out of those original sessions. The songs are a sensual and almost effervescent approach that combine R&B elements with electronic and processed instrumentation. While in Istanbul, Sheppard established a routine in collaborating with a close friend and poet. He said they developed a fairly specific daily routine for working on music, with the intent of finishing songs, regardless of their quality. “I would wake up at 8 in the morning and start the song and get the chord structure. And then at 10, he would wake up and I would show him what I had. I’d make breakfast, and then I’d show him the melody I wanted for the vocal line. He’d go down and start writing the lyrics, we’d eat breakfast, and he’d have the lyrics written after we got done with breakfast. At 1, I’d start recording the vocals. It was a good schedule.” Sheppard has been writing and recording for the last decade even though he is just in 20’s. Before Sheppard started performing and recording as Pageant Boys he released several albums as Alexandre. Shadowboxing is the maturation of Sheppard’s artistic vision and introduction to a larger audience.] [Pageant Boys played Crossroads Music Fest, Sat, Sept. 9 .]

68. Las Cafeteras – Tastes Like L.A. / Las Cafeteas / April 14, 2017
[Chicano band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music fuses spoken word, folk music, with traditional Son Jarocho, Afro-Mexican music and zapateado dancing. The band started out as students of the Eastside Café, a community space in El Sereno, LA, where they took Son Jarocho classes. Influenced by music from Veracruz, Mexico and eager to teach others about it, they started formally playing in 2005. Since forming, they have shared the stage with artists such as, Caifanes, Lila Downs, Juanes, Ozomatli, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Their namesake derives from the organization where they took classes. To honor women, they feminized their group name by naming themselves Las Cafeteras, rather than Los Cafeteros. Las Cafeteras’ songs have themes and references that range from the Civil Rights Movement, United Farm Workers, DREAM Act, immigration reform to female homicides in Ciudad Juárez. Their song, “La Bamba Rebelde”, a remake of The traditional Mexican song from the state of Veracruz “La Bamba”, denotes their Chicano pride. They say that they construct their music as a tool for creating positive change and inspiring others to do so. Band Members include: Daniel French on vocals, jarana, MC; David Flores on requinto jarocho; Denise Carlos on vocals, jarana, zapateado, glockenspiel; Jose Cano on cajón, Native American flute, harmonica; Hector Flores on vocals, zapateado; Leah Gallegos on vocals, quijada, zapateado.] [Las Cafeteras played Folk Alliance International 2017 Conference.]

69. Big Thief – Capacity / Saddle Creek Records / June 9, 2017
[Debut album from Brooklyn, NYC, based Big Thief is lead vocalist and songwriter Adrianne Lenker, Buck Meek on guitar, Max Oleartchik on bass, and James Krivchenia on drums.] [Big Thief played The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence, Thur, Oct. 12 at 8:00 PM w/ Mega Bog.]

70. Pieta Brown – Postcards / Lustre Records / March 10, 2017
[Postcards features a number of Brown’s musical friends, including Calexico, Bon Iver, Mark Knopfler and the Pines. She compiled the album by writing simple acoustic demos of what would become the album’s songs, sending them to the musicians that make up Postcards‘ roster of guests, and having those artists finish the tracks. Brown and her collaborators never worked in the same room, which lent the album its distance-implying title. Released on Brown’s new, in her words, “underground label” Lustre Records. Pieta Brown was born in 1973 in Iowa City, Iowa. Her early upbringing was in Iowa. There, Brown was exposed to traditional and rural folk music through her father, singer songwriter Greg Brown. Brown spent her childhood living in 17 different residences between Iowa and Alabama. While living with her mother in Alabama, Brown began writing poetry and composing instrumental songs on piano. As a musician and singer-songwriter she has released five albums and four EPs. Collaborator Bo Ramsey produced her 2002 debut record, Pieta Brown and co-produced her 2005 album In the Cool, which was named one of the year’s best by Amazon. Her next album Remember The Sun was released in 2007 and was cited as one of the year’s best in a The Wall Street Journal article. After the release of her next album, One and All, Brown joined Mark Knopfler’s North American tour, had a string of performance dates with John Prine, participated in a full orchestral show with Brandi Carlile, and embarked on her own performance tour in Australia. Brown’s 2009 EP, Shimmer was produced by Don Was after hearing her on his car radio in a live solo performance. In addition to Mark Knopfler, John Prine and Brandi Carlile, Brown has shared stages with JJ Cale, Emmylou Harris, Richard Thompson, Ani DiFranco, Calexico, Neko Case, Mason Jennings, Shawn Mullins, Carrie Rodriguez and Jim Lauderdale. She has performed at festivals throughout North America including Bonnaroo, Mountain Jam, Edmonton Folk Music Festival and more. Her national radio credits include performances on eTown and Mountain Stage. Brown is married to guitarist and producer, Bo Ramsey.]

71. The Good Hearts – A Beginner’s Guide to The Good Hearts / TGHs / May 21, 2017
[The Good Hearts are a 4-piece soulful folk-pop group with an emphasis on strings and warming hearts. Their unique brand of folk music is led by singer songwriter, Nicole Cain with powerful vocals & acoustic guitar, Shannon O’Shea on violin & background vocals, Anna Cook on cello & background vocals, and Aaron Derington on percussion. This Kansas City based group are described as “folk pop with touches of old country and soul thrown in.” The Good Hearts have played the Plaza Art Fair, The Folk Music Festival, and Boulevardia. The Good Hearts are currently working on their new debut album full length with Kristie Stremel serving as producer. More info at: http://www.thegoodheartsmusic.bandcamp.com] [The Good Hearts played the Wednesday MidDay Medley 90.1 KKFI Day Party at Middle of The Map Fest, May 6.]

72. The Safes – Tasty Waves / Hidden Volume Records / September 8, 2017
[The Safes are Frankie O’Malley on vocals, guitars, drums, piano, Wurlitzer, vibes, bells; Patrick O’Malley on vocals, guitars; Dex Fontaine on drums; Curt Schmelz on bass. The record includes special guest musicians: Siobhan Hunter on violins, Dominique DiValerio on french horn, and Ben Levin-O’Leary on trumpet. Produced, Recorded, Mixed by Patrick O’Malley. Recorded, Mixed by Brian Deck. Mixed by Frankie O’Malley. Recorded at IV Lab and StudiO’Malley. Mixed at StudiO’Malley and at Brian Deck’s home studio
Mastered by Josh Bonati at Bonati Mastering. Assistant Engineer at IV Lab – Shane Hendrickson. Photograph: Andrew Ballantyne. All songs written by Frankie O’Malley, except “Streets and Sanitation”: lyrics written by Frankie and music written by Patrick & Frankie. http://www.thesafes.com.] [The Safes played Crossroads Music Festival, September 9 at 10:00 at The Brick on the Do816 Stage.]

73. Joon Moon – Moonshine Corner / Kwaiden Records / September 29, 2017
[First full length album from band formed in 2014 in Montmartre area of Paris. This follows the June 2017 release of their EP Tiger, their April 2016 EP, Call Me, and their October 2015 EP Chess. Joon Moon is the meeting of House producer Julien Decoret, drummer Raphael Chassin and American expat and singer/song writer extraordinaire Krystle Warren. After ten years of touring the world playing double bass with Marc Collin’s Nouvelle Vague ensemble, alongside excursions into house music on the Yellow Productions Art of Disco compilations, not to mention co-producing Florent Marchet’s Bamby Galaxy album, it was time for songwriter/producer/renaissance man Julien Decoret to dedicate his heart and soul to a new challenge. With Raphaël Chassin, (Hugh Coltman, Vanessa Paradis, Pauline Croze) on drums, helping out with the production and arrangements, and Sébastien Trouvé as sound engineer, Decoret set out on his retromodern Joon Moon mission, laying out the contours of a world where trip-hop, jazz, soul and electronic music live side by side, sharing their joys and sorrows. The only missing element was that one last bit of magic, a voice that could take the project to ever-loftier heights. Enter Krystle Warren. She had worked with Rufus Wainwright, and Scritti Politti’s Green Gartside, and had made forays into house music herself by providing vocals to two cuts off Hercules and Love Affair’s, The Feast of the Broken Heart. That’s not even mentioning her own band, Krystle Warren and The Faculty – and its three albums – which display her impressive grasp of soul music, folk, blues…With Tiger, the band’s social concerns are brought to the forefront. A timely piece from a Franco-American band about the need to question authority and the power structure of society. Tiger sees its tension build up like an onimous populist, and turns into defiance. Art and love in a movement towards emancipation.]

74. Mavis Staples – If All I Was Was Black / Anti / November 17, 2017
[16th studio solo album from gospel R&B singer, actress and civil rights activist, born in Chicago, Illinois on July 10, 1939. She 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”. Livin’ on a High Note was produced by M. Ward the album features songs written specifically for Staples by Nick Cave, Justin Vernon, tUnE-yArds, Neko Case, Aloe Blacc, and others. Mavis!, the first feature documentary about Staples and the Staple Singers, directed by Jessica Edwards, had its world premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival in March 2015. Mavis! was screened in theaters and on HBO in February 2016. 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. The album was written and produced by Jeff Tweedy. Staples said the album “brings us all together as a people. That’s what I hope to do. You can’t stop me. You can’t break me. I’m too loving. These songs are going to change the world.” Tweedy described the message of the album: “I’ve always thought of art as a political statement in and of itself-that it was enough to be on the side of creation and not destruction. But there is something that feels complicit at this moment in time about not facing what is happening in this country head on.]

75. Sky Smeed – Lunker Bass / Sky Smeed / February 1, 2017
[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).]

76. Adult Mom – Soft Spots / Tiny Engines / May 19, 2017
[Adult Mom began as the solo project of Stephanie Knipe in a Purchase College dorm room in 2012. Honesty and intimacy form as Knipe writes clever pop songs that offer a glimpse into the journey of a gender-weird queer navigating through heartache, trauma and subsequent growth. Soft Spots, the project’s sophomore LP, is an exploration into the physical and emotional acts of opening up, the vulnerability that produces love, and then ache. Knipe shares with us their process of learning how to cradle and understand their own softness without finality, a story without an end.]

77. Nick Siegel – Awake from The Golden State / Nick Siegel / August 25, 2017
[2nd single from the debut EP from Nick Siegel who writes: “I write aggressive piano rock music. I strike the 88 keys because one of them must be the key to your heart (oh the charm!). I grew up playing music in Chicago and moved to Kansas City in 2010 when I joined The Casket Lottery. Now venturing on my own, I’m excited to release a new record that will knock your clothes off. Book me, like me, come out and see me and I’ll introduce you to a fine mix of fast fingers, great hair and awkward banter. I’m Nick Siegel. I’m the piano rock you need in your life.”]

78. The Como Mamas – Move Upstairs / Daptone Records / May 19, 2017
[2nd full length album from one of the The newer addition to the Daptone Family. tThe Como Mamas are three lifelong Gospel singers from the small town of Como Mississippi. On their debut album, the critically acclaimed album ‘Get an Understanding’ from 2013, there are only three instruments – The powerful, raspy voice of Ester Mae Smith, the deep soothing voice of Angela Taylor, and the energetic, spirited vocals of Della Daniels. The harmonies they create are so powerful, musical accompaniment is not missed. In December of 2015, The Como Mamas took their first trip from their home in Como, Mississippi up to Harlem, New York to crush the Apollo Theater as part of the Daptone Super Soul Revue. Taking full advantage of their presence in town, the Daptone crew brought Ester Mae Wilbourn, Della Daniels and Angelia Taylor into the House of Soul the week after the show to join forces for the first time with the musicians and studio that has defined their label’s sound. Jimmy Hill, Thomas Brenneck, Homer Steinweiss, and Bosco Mann, all stalwarts of the Daptone stable, came together as “The Glorifiers Band,” to put down a churning musical foundation for these amazing singers. The results are some of the heaviest tracks that Daptone has cut to date.]

79. Dirty Projectors – Dirty Projectors / Domino Recording Co. / February 21, 2017
[2nd single from the 8th album, of the band and the follow up to Swing Lo Magellan, from 2012. Dirty Projectors are an American musical group, consisting of David Longstreth on vocals & guitar, Amber Coffman on vocals & guitar, Haley Dekle on vocals, Nat Baldwin on bass, Olga Bell on vocals & keyboards, and Michael Johnson on drums.]

80. Mount Eerie – A Crow Looked At Me / P.W. Elverum & Sun / March 24, 2017
[8th studio album from Mount Eerie, the musical project of Anacortes, Washington-based songwriter and producer Phil Elverum. Elverum (formerly of The Microphones) is the principal member of the band, but has collaborated with many other musicians on his records and in live performances. Most of Mount Eerie’s releases have been issued on Elverum’s label P.W. Elverum & Sun, Ltd., and feature inventive and highly detailed packaging with his own artwork. Elverum married Canadian artist and musician Geneviève Gosselin in 2003 shortly after meeting her. The two dated long-distance briefly before Geneviève moved to Washington to live with Phil. She recorded under the names Woelv and Ô Paon. Besides occasionally singing on each other’s records and playing in one another’s backing bands live, the couple did not collaborate artistically. The two did not want either of their artistic outputs to interfere with the other’s so they kept relatively quiet about their marriage. Occasionally one would mention that he or she was married, but not say who they were married to. In 2015, Geneviève was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer following the birth of the couple’s first child. After running out of funds to pay for Geneviève’s cancer treatments the two turned to the world and asked for their support through way of a GoFundMe page; an unexpected decision from the usually reclusive couple. On July 10, 2016, Geneviève died in the company of her husband and parents. The album’s release comes in wake of the passing of Elverum’s wife, Geneviève Castrée. On January 5, 2017, Elverum announced that he will “re-enter the world,” go on tour, and release a new album. The first single from A Crow Looked at Me, “Real Death”, was released on P.W. Elverum & Sun, Ltd.’s SoundCloud page on January 18, 2017, to widespread acclaim, netting the “Best New Track” distinction from Pitchfork. Paste wrote that in “Real Death”, “[t]he music gives Elverum all the room he needs to not so much sing, but document.”]

81. Keaton Conrad – Waves / Keaton Conrad / January 27, 2017
[Debut full length from 18 year old Kansas native, Keaton Conrad mixes indie rock, house, jazz, and hip-hop. Conrad spent 2 years as the lead singer & keyboardist in the cover band ChangeUp, performing around KC. In 2015 he released a 5-song EP, Panic & Blame. ] [Keaton Conrad played the 4th annual PorchFest KC.]

82. The Weather Station – The Weather Station / Paradise of Bachelors / October 6, 2017
[4th full length release from The Weather Station, a Canadian band, based in Toronto, fronted by Tamara Lindeman, formed in 2006. Band members have changed over the years, but now includes Lindeman, with Ben Whiteley on bass, Adrian Cook on pedal steel, and Ian Kehoe on drums.]

83. Wick & The Tricks – Not Enough 7″ Vinyl EP / Black Site / October 14, 2017
[4-piece band with Wick Trick on vocals & sleaze, Chris Stallion on guitar, Jane Asylum on bass & vocals, and JoJo Tornado on drums. The new EP was recorded and mixed by Justin Mantooth at Westend Recording Studios.] [Wick & the Tricks played a Record Release Show, Saturday, October 14, at 8:00 pm at Davey’s Uptown Rambler’s Club, 3402 Main Street, KCMO, with Red Kate, The Quivers, and The Midnight Devils.]

84. Truck Stop Love – Can’t Hear It: 1991-1994 / Black Site Records / November 18, 2017
[Rich Yarges on vocals & guitar, Eric Melin on drums, Matt Mozier on vocals & guitar, Brad Huhmann on bass & vocals, Jim Crego on vocals & guitar. 25 years ago Truck Stop Love made their first recordings. These are previously unreleased demo tracks and never-before-heard recordings. To give these old recordings a new life on vinyl, audio archivist & sound engineer Kliph Scurlock remastered the songs from the original analog & digital audio tapes, and Chris Muth at Taloowa Corp cut the master lacquers.] [Truck Stop Love played an Album Release & Reunion, (their first in 13 years), Nov. 17 at recordBar with Pedaljets, Red Kate and Chris Tolle.]

85. Salar Rajabnik – Black & White World / Salar Rajabnik / June 9, 2017
[Produced By: Salar Rajabnik. Engineered By: David Wright at Cherrybox Studios & RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. Mixed By: David Wright. Mastered By: Joshua Stuebe . Art Direction & Design: Kristøpher Martin of Arcane Path. Photography: Samon Rajabnik. Vocals, Electric, Acoustic, Baritone & 12 String Guitars, Piano, Drums & Percussion: Salar Rajabnik. Bass Guitar: Ben Garner. Keyboards, Organ, Piano & Percussion: Johnny Gentile. Fender Rhodes on “I Don’t Want To Wake Up”: Warren Pash. Additional Background Vocals: Leah Korbin. Special thanks to Noam Chomsky for graciously allowing use of his words in “Black & White World.” Black & White World is dedicated to those with the courage to speak truth to power. All Songs Written & Arranged By: Salar Rajabnik / BMI / 2017. Salar Rajabnik is a product of time spent in lots of seemingly contrasting places. Born in the Atlanta area, he was immersed in the world of southern American roots music. The strong Persian cultural influence of his father, an Iranian immigrant, was just as evident at a young age. This was strengthened by time ispent living in Iran. From the beginning this unexpected amalgamation of cultures began to create the foundation that would define him as a musician and person. A move to Kansas City at the age of 12 prompted Salar to pick up his first instrument, the bass guitar. Between the clubs, streets, festivals, churches, basements, bars, arenas, schools, & studios, playing bass, drums, or guitar, he took every opportunity to play that he could. While his influences seem conflicting on the surface level the underlying and unifying principles and themes are strong. Whether he was dancing to Persian music with his family in Iran, learning Motown basslines in his room while his friends listened to boy bands, or jamming in the historic 18th & Vine district with jazz veterans till sunrise, for Salar it’s always been about playing with heart, soul, and honesty. Salar has set out to venerate those who have and continue to respect the gift of music and it’s important role in life, regardless of any classification or style. After years of playing in bands and as a live & studio musician Salar relocated to Nashville, Tennessee & formed a backing band in 2014 & released a debut EP, both dubbed “Moon Age”. Leaving Nashville as a homebase & the Moon Age moniker behind, Salar recently relocated back to Kansas City to release his full length album.]

86. This Is the Kit – Moonshine Freeze / Rough Trade / July 7, 2017
[4th album from This Is the Kit, the alias of British musician Kate Stables, who is based in Bristol and Paris. This is The Kit formed in 2003. This Is the Kit perform regularly in various configurations from duo to quintet. The core members are Stables on vocals, guitar and banjo, and Jesse D Vernon on violin, guitar, bass and percussion. However, Stables is the only constant, and they are often joined onstage by The Liftmen, Rozi Plain, and other musicians of their acquaintance throughout the UK and Europe.]

87. The Souljazz Orchestra – Under Burning Skies / Strut Records / September 22, 2017
[8th album from Canadian six member band based in Ottawa. Their music is a fusion of soul, jazz, funk, Afrobeat and Latin styles. Members include: Pierre Chrétien on electric piano, clavinet, organ, guitar, bass, percussion, vocals; Marielle Rivard on percussion, vocals; Steve Patterson on tenor sax, percussion, vocals; Ray Murray on baritone sax, percussion, vocals; Zakari Frantz on alto sax, flute, percussion, vocals; Philippe Lafrenière on drums, percussion, vocals. The band signed to London-based Strut Records, a UK record label that focuses on dance music and afrobeat. Other musicians signed to Strut include “Ethio-Jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke, Motown guitarist Dennis Coffey and Ghanaian highlife singer Ebo Taylor.” ]

88. Salty – Preservation Blues / Salty / February 8, 2017
[Salty is formerly know as Lil Toughies. Formed in early 2016 with Jonathan “JB” Brokaw on guitar & vocals, Zach Turner on synthesizers & sound terror, Andy Erdrich on bass, Ethan “macho man” Savage on drums. Recorded by Jonathan Brokaw. Mixed by Tim Harte and Jonathan Brokaw. Mastered by Tim Harte. all lyrics by Jonathan Brokaw. The current line up includes: Jonathan “JB” Brokaw on guitar & vocals, Zach Turner on synth & sound terror, Ethan “macho man” Savage on drums, Jesslay Huh on bass & texture. More info at http://www.saltykcmo.bandcamp.com ] [Salty played two Preservation Blues, Album Release Shows: Friday, April 28, at Mills Record Company, and Saturday, April 29, at Blind Tiger]

89. The War On Drugs – A Deeper Understanding / Atlantic / August 25, 2017
[The 4th studio album from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, band formed in 2005. The band consists of Adam Granduciel (vocals, guitar), David Hartley (bass), Robbie Bennett (keyboards), Charlie Hall (drums), Jon Natchez (saxophone, keyboards) and Anthony LaMarca (guitar). Founded by close collaborators Granduciel and Kurt Vile, The War on Drugs released their debut studio album, Wagonwheel Blues, in 2008. Vile departed shortly after its release to focus on his solo career. The band’s second studio album Slave Ambient was released in 2011 to favorable reviews and extensive touring. Written and recorded following extensive touring and a period of loneliness and depression for primary songwriter Granduciel, the band’s third album, Lost in the Dream, was released in 2014 to widespread critical acclaim and increased exposure. Previous collaborator Charlie Hall joined the band as its full-time drummer during the recording process, with saxophonist Jon Natchez and additional guitarist Anthony LaMarca accompanying the band for its world tour.]

90. Deerhoof – Mountain Moves / Joyful Noise / September 8, 2017
[Pitchfork went so far as to label Deerhoof as “the best band in the world.” From their humble beginnings as an obscure San Francisco noise act, they’ve become one of indie music’s most influential bands with their ecstatic and unruly take on pop. Formed in San Francisco in 1994. Deerhoof currently consists of founding drummer Greg Saunier, bassist and singer Satomi Matsuzaki, and guitarists John Dieterich and Ed Rodriguez. Initially performing improvised noise punk, Deerhoof became widely renowned and influential in the 2000s through prodigious and self-produced creative output combining “noise, sugary [pop] melodies, and an experimental spirit into utterly distinctive music”. They have released 14 studio albums since 1997. Their live shows are characterized by minimal gear, maximal volume, and surrealist banter.][Deerhoof played Outer Reaches Fest, at recordBar, Friday, September 29.]

91. Sauce – Summer Sauce / Sauce / July 28, 2017
[Kansas City native Hip-Hop artist Sauce is also known as Royce Handy. “Summer Sauce” is his 3rd original release, it features Kendrick Lamar and Tech N9NE collaborator, Gee Watts, along with producer/rapper Duncan Burnett. Duncan Burnett produced all the songs except Childhood Crush, produced by M. Fasol. This concept EP sets the tone of love and greatness via future soul, live instruments, and summer vibes. Sauce’s earlier releases charted on Billboard, iTunes and Amazon Hip-Hop charts. He has released over 9 professional projects including a collaboration EP. He sold out his 2013 release party at 7th Heaven, landed on a billboard chart, has featured on various hip-hop blogs, and his anti- violence hit “Gunshots” has been featured on Hot 103 Jamz, 95.3 FM, 90.1 FM. Recently, he organized his first regional tour that included St. Louis, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Salina, Kansas and many other Kansas City metro venues.]

92. Arc Flash – Carbon Copy/ High Dive Records / March 31, 2017
[Debut full length from Arc Flash. James Thomblison on lead vocals & guitar, and Mark Osman on drums & percussion. Music by Arc Flash. Mixed by Joel Martin & Arc Flash. Mastered by Mike Nolte. Album art by Tanner Spreer. Carbon Copy on CD & vinyl on High Dive Records and cassette on Whatever Forever. http://www.highdiverecords.com]

93. Approach – Elegant Knock / Datura Records / January 20, 2017
[Lawrence based Sean Hunt is Approach. Sequenced, Produced, Recorded, Mixed & Mastered By: Aikido Bray at Prosidio Gardens in Lawrence. Sean Hunt writes: “Elegant Knock” started out as a beat album named after a production night I throw in Lawrence. It turned into a 10 track album that pays respect to a sound and vibe that I loved in High School. It isn’t a throwback project on some I wish it was 96′ ish, it’s a “why aren’t we still freaking these sounds now” thang. My original concept was flipped when I dug out my old Ensoniq EPS 16+ and started funking around. The next thing I knew I was making an album I wanted to rap on. I did all of the production on the EPS (everything and it’s was headache) and made a few mixing edits on the Ensoniq ASR-10 (mainly stereo pans). I pushed myself to use the tools of yesteryear to capture the feeling I was seeking out (it was a pain in the ass and I lost a ton of beats in the process). I loved every second of it though. I feel like it’s the perfect bridge between my Lincoln Marshall project with Milkdrop and my album “Antique Mall” (coming out soon).]

94. The Ants – Golden Submarine / Beyond Records / October 13, 2017
[The Ants 10th release and their 8th full length album. Band member Chad Bryan says thet “It is safe to say they have been under the radar for the past 17 years. We’ve long been a band other bands enjoy, but haven’t really gotten past that and into a larger audience. We’ve been releasing music independently for the past ten years and were on a small label out of Chicago called Sickroom Records prior to that. We’ve been relegated to local and regional work the past several years due to real life obligations. We did quite a bit of touring 2003-2010. The nucleus of the band is a four piece that has been together since 2006. Half of the band lives in Lawrence, the other half in Kansas City.” Band members include: David Randall, Sean McEniry, Brad Nichols, Chad Bryan. http://www.killtheants.com] [The Ants played a KC Release show at Holy Cow, Nov 12.]

95. The Hearers – Five Seasons / The Hearers / September 6, 2017
[Third full length release from KC/Seattle/San Diego/Lawrence based band, made up of Darren Welch on bass, vocals, 12-string, keys; Marc Tweed on guitar, vocals, synth; David Moore on guitar, vocals, Hammond; Chris Braun on piano, cello, Hammond, ukulele, flute, vocals; Jay Kakert on harmonica, glockenspiel; Jeff Doom on electric guitar; Eric Mardis on pedal steel, banjo; Rob Veitch on drums, percussion, concert bass drum; Michael Walker on trombone, monotron, horn arrangements. With Additional horns from: Rich Wheeler on tenor sax, C melody sax; Brett Jackson on baritone sax; Nick Howell on trumpet. Recorded, mixed and mastered by David Moore at Merriam Shoals. Additional recording by Marc Tweed at SexDungeon Studio.][The Hearers played Outer Reaches Fest, at recordBar, Sat, September 30]

96. The Life and Times – The Life and Times / Slimstyle Records / April 28, 2017
[5th full length studio album, and 10th release from KC based indie band formed in 2002. Current members include: Allen Epley, Eric Abert, and Chris Metcalf. Past members include: Rob Smith, John Meredith, and Mike Meyers. Band has toured with: The Appleseed Cast, Murder by Death, Pelican, Mono, Sparta, Pinback, Engine Down, and William Elliott Whitmore.]

97. Aimee Mann – Mental Illness / Aimee Mann – SuperEgo Records / March 31, 2017
[9th solo studio release from Aimee Mann who was born September 8, 1960 and is a rock singer, singer-songwriter, bassist & guitarist. She was the bassist and a vocalist for the band ‘Til Tuesday during the 1980s and since then has primarily performed as a solo musician. She is married to Michael Penn. In 1999, Mann recorded original material for the soundtrack to the Paul Thomas Anderson film Magnolia, which earned both Academy Award and Grammy Award nominations for the song “Save Me”. She negotiated a contract release from David Geffen and founded her own label, SuperEgo Records.]

98. Ariel Pink – Dedicated To Bobby Jameson / Kemado Records / September 15, 2017
[11th studio album LA’s prodigal songwriting son Ariel Pink. The album’s title makes a direct and heartfelt reference to a real-life L.A. musician, long presumed dead, who resurfaced online in 2007 after 35 reclusive years to pen his autobiography and tragic life story in a series of blogs and YouTube tirades. “His book and life resonated with me to such a degree,” Pink states, “that I felt a need to dedicate my latest record to him.” Dedicated to Bobby Jameson begins at the end and ends at the beginning. “We follow the protagonist through a battery of tests and milestones, the first of which sees him reborn into life out of death,” Pink explains, referencing the opening track “Time To Meet Your God.” “From there, he seesaws his way between the innocent love and the rock-solid edifice of childhood-worn trauma that together constitute his lifelong initiation into the realm of artifice and theatrical disposability.” Ariel Pink started as a visual artist before becoming a recording artist in the late ‘90s while attending Cal Arts. Drawing on iconoclasts and trailblazers like the Shaggs, the Cure, the Velvet Underground, Destroy All Monsters, Cabaret Voltaire, and R. Stevie Moore, Pink set himself to redefining the musical lexicon for himself and others. “This mission,” he says, “remains mine to this day.” More info at: http://www.ariel-pink.com.]

99. Judith Owen – Somebody’s Child / Twanky Records / March 3, 2017
[11th studio album from Welsh born singer songwriter and co-founder of Twanky Records with her husband, Harry Shearer. This albums follows her 10th release “Ebb & Flow.” It features three of the four members of “The Section”: Leland Sklar on bass, Russell Kunkel on drums and Waddy Wachtel on guitar.] [Judith Owen played The Uptown Theatre, Friday, March 24, at 8:00 PM with legendary bassist Leland Sklar, in her band, opening for Bryan Ferry.]

100. HighWesthus – The Trilogy (Part I, II, III) / Datura / August 26, 2017
[Written, produced, performed by HighWesthus, and mixed & mastered by Leyone Tracks. HighWesthus was born Shaun Teamer, in Chicago, Illinois. Now based in Kansas City, in October 2016 HighWesthus released Part III. The ILLU as the last official album of the Trilogy Set that began with the May 2015 release, Part I. The Dead, and continued with the November 2015 release, Part II. The Wise. Recently Lawrence based Datura Records in co-release with Whatever Forever, released all 3 parts as one 29 song collection. HighWesthus is a freelance multimedia artist. He graduated from the KC Art Institute in 2012 with a BFA in Animation. He is one of four owners of Strange Paper Studio, based in Kansas City. HighWesthus specializes in illustration, animation, graphic design, video editing, sound editing, music producing, writing and storytelling.]

101. Sudan Archives – Sudan Archives / Stones Throw Records / July 14, 2017
[Self titled debut EP from 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.]

102. Nancy and Beth – Nancy and Beth / Herpursef / April 7, 2017
[“Please Mr, Jailer” was written by Wynona Carr (August 23, 1923 – May 11, 1976) an African-American gospel, R&B and rock and roll singer-songwriter, who recorded as Sister Wynona Carr when performing gospel material. Carr’s contralto vocals have a sensual, husky quality which made her eventual switch to R&B and rock & roll seem a logical choice in retrospect. Carr’s gospel recordings are very much influenced by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, incorporating blues and jazz stylings and R&.B. Her early R&B material (for which she is probably best remembered now) was often uptempo, rock & roll-styled and similar in sound to fellow R&B/rock & roll artists on the Specialty roster like Little Richard, Lloyd Price and Larry Williams, with a strong New Orleans-style backbeat and a rich, warm production. Her final Specialty sessions, conducted by Sonny Bono in 1959, cut down on the rock & roll influences. Both Carr’s gospel and R&B recordings went largely unappreciated during the time they were released, but found a new audience when Specialty Records released two CDs, covering Carr’s entire output on the label.Megan Mullally and Stephanie Hunt met in Austin Texas while filming the independent movie Somebody Up There Likes Me. The minute the two started singing together they realized they had something special. They formed the band Nancy and Beth in 2012. formed the band Nancy and Beth in 2012. They went on tour in March 2013. They are set to release their debut album just before a North American tour. Actress, singer, Emmy and Golden Globe Awards winner, MEGAN MULLALLY (Karen on NBC’s Will & Grace, Children’s Hospital, Party Down) . STEPHANIE HUNT (Friday Night Lights, Californication and How To Live With Your Parents For the Rest of Your Life). [Nancy and Beth played an Official Showcase at Folk Alliance International Conference, February 15.] [Megan Mullally presented awards for the Best of 2016 Album, Song, and Artist of the Year, at the International Folk Music Awards, February 15, 2017 at the Westin Hotel in KC.]

103. Cindy Wilson – Change / Kill Rock Stars / December 1, 2017
[Cindy Wilson’s solo debut arrives in time to celebrate the singer’s 40th anniversary in the musical spotlight. CHANGE began for Wilson nearly a decade ago upon her part-time return to her hometown of Athens, GA. She first encountered local musician Ryan Monahan when his Beatles tribute band was hired to play her son’s birthday party – “One of the best parties ever,” says Wilson. The veteran vocalist and talented young musician began teaming up for gigs, beginning with R.E.M.’s star-studded 30th anniversary event. “Ryan and drummer Lemuel Hayes and I put together a few songs and it was fantastic,” Wilson says. “That started our own musical relationship.” Wilson and her new bandmates continued performing together, first playing classic garage and psychedelic covers but ultimately deciding to create new music all their own. They hit the studio in 2014, with local producer-musician Suny Lyons manning the board. The songs and sonic concepts flowed like the Broad River, leading Wilson to invite Lyons to join her fast developing combo. “We went to Suny’s studio to kick around ideas and see if we can do anything interesting,” Wilson says. “We wanted to see how our styles would blend. He comes from a totally different place than I do but I was great. It also became immediately clear we had to bring Suny in to be part of the band, he also had wonderful ideas. I had a really great team.” Backed by her gifted collaborators, Wilson developed a distinctive sound rooted in her long history of kaleidoscopic pop reinvention. Earlier this year Cindy released a pair of EPs, SUNRISE and SUPERNATURAL with both acclaimed by PopMatters for possessing “an undeniable sense of adventure.” Produced by Lyons at The Space Station in Athens, melding future pop, disco drama, American standards, electronica, and more into her own distinctive creative vision. “Our sound is both consistent and still evolving,” Wilson says. “These ingredients come together from left field to create something really interesting.” Further album highlights include a pair of unexpected covers: a widescreen orchestral rendition of New Colony Six’s soft rock classic, “Things I’d Like to Say,” and “Brother,” written and originally performed by Athens’ own beloved Oh-OK. “We played a show, Athens musicians playing songs by other Athens bands,” Wilson says. “We did an R.E.M. song, a Pylon song, and ‘Brother’ by Oh-OK, which turned out so great we decided it had to be on record. It hits you over the head; it’s an interesting texture. It brings the album home I think.A veteran of one of pop’s most consistently entertaining live acts, Wilson is heralding CHANGE with an unprecedented multimedia concert tour. Merging conceptual structure, unique visuals, and kicked off in March with SXSW, Wilson and her bandmates are touring the US (in a van, it should be mentioned). “The show is totally different from anything I’ve done before,” Wilson says. “It has an incredible flow, from beginning to end. The great thing about touring a show like this is you can solve problems and tweak things as you go along.” “Everyone has other bands, other jobs,” Wilson says. “I’ve got the B-52s’ fortieth anniversary, there’s a lot going on with that. At the same time, I’m very committed to this record and continuing to perform with these guys. We’re trying to go into the studio at least once a month, to continue working creatively and keep the songs coming. We’re still experimenting, still growing, but it retains a certain sound. I feel very comfortable in this band. I’m loving it.” Cynthia “Cindy” Leigh Wilson was born February 28, 1957. She is a singer, and is one of the lead vocalists, songwriter and a founding member of new wave rock band The B-52s. The B-52’s were formed when Wilson (who was born in Athens, Georgia), alongside her older brother and guitarist Ricky, organist and vocalist Kate Pierson, drummer and percussionist Keith Strickland, and vocalist Fred Schneider played an impromptu musical jam session after sharing a tropical Flaming Volcano drink at a local Chinese restaurant. They later played their first concert in 1977 at a Valentine’s Day party for their friends. Wilson and the others broke into the music world with their campy, ’60s retro band. Their 1979 debut album The B-52’s, yielded the hit singles “Rock Lobster” and “Planet Claire” and launched the band into stardom. On April 21, 1985, Wilson married Keith Bennett, a successful advertiser who was a longtime friend of the band and Ricky’s guitar tech on tour. Ricky died later that year, leaving her devastated. Wilson took a sabbatical from the band in 1990 to concentrate on raising a family, during which time The B-52’s recorded and released the album Good Stuff as a trio of Pierson, Schneider and Strickland. During the live tour to promote the Good Stuff album in 1992 and 1993, Julee Cruise sang as a replacement for Wilson. Wilson rejoined The B-52’s in 1994. In 1998 she took part in recordings from which two new songs were selected to be included along with the band’s hit singles on the album Time Capsule: Songs for a Future Generation. Wilson then took maternity leave in 1999 (being replaced on tour by Gail Ann Dorsey), later rejoining the band in 2001 for regular touring of their greatest hits. The B-52’s completed the album Funplex in 2007 and it was released in March 2008. Wilson co-wrote every song on the album with the three other band members. In all, she has co-written much of the band’s back catalogue, including “Dance This Mess Around”, “Private Idaho” and all of the Cosmic Thing album including hit singles “Love Shack” and “Roam”. Wilson’s vocal efforts include the typical B-52’s “call-and-response” vocals with Schneider and/or Pierson, as well as her harmonies with Pierson on the band’s all-female songs such as “Roam”, “52 Girls”, “Cake”, “Legal Tender”, “Summer of Love” and “Juliet of the Spirits”. One of the band’s signature elements is the setup between the three vocalists. However, Wilson sings the greatest number of solo performances in the band, especially on their earlier albums. Examples of Cindy’s solo vocal performances in The B-52’s include “Hero Worship”, “Loveland”, “Nip It in the Bud”, “Girl from Ipanema Goes to Greenland”, “Ain’t It a Shame”, “She Brakes for Rainbows” and the live favorite “Give Me Back My Man”. Wilson is the band’s bongosero, playing the bongos in regular live favorites “Planet Claire”, “Mesopotamia”, “Pump” and “Party Out of Bounds” as well as other songs such as “6060-842” and “Big Bird”.] [The B-52s played The Uptown, Oct 22. Cindy Wilson played Riot Room, Nov. 17.]

104. Mene Mene – Stone, Steel, and Spark – EP / Mene Mene / September 9, 2017
[Their Bandcamp page described the band as: “Kansas City based Indie Alt Rock with some piano, some drums, and a whole lot of repressed feelings.” Written & performed by Brad Feagen & Alec Stockman.]

105. Looming – Seed / No Sleep Records / September 29, 2017
[Springfield, Illinois based band formed in 2013. The band consists of: Jessica Knight on bass & lead vocals, Brandon Carnes on drums & backing vocals, Mitch Baker on guitar & backing vocals, Nick Demarco on guitar, Cassie Staub on guitar & synthesizer. (Original member Jordan Fein left the band after their debut release.) “The band originally came together over a shared common vision and passion for songwriting. After years performing in various Springfield bands (Mother Leopard, Lovecow, Our Lady, Big Storm) the group fell into a natural groove with one another and became known for their unique emo-pop that’s led by the inimitable vocal stylings of Knight that pair perfectly with the band’s bright, airy sound.” “Three guitars work together to perform thick, overlapping lines that lead to satisfying breakdowns. Front-woman Jessica Knight’s curious, chewy singing style and a thumping rhythm section give Looming a potent edge above their peers. ” This album is a follow up to their debut full-length album, Nailbiter that came out in August 14, 2015.]

106. Ivy – Bad Intuition / Ivy / April 14, 2016
[Debut recording from Kansas City native singer songwriter, who plays piano and guitar, and produces beats. Her style ranges from R & B, Neo Soul, Hip Hop, Acoustic, and Pop. She has performed on stage at Lincoln Center in NYC, regional Festivals, Los Angeles, and collaborates with film and performance. Written and produced by Ivy. More info at http://www.itsjustivy.com] [Ivy played Crossroads Music Fest, Sat, Sept 9.]

107. The Dear Misses – Just Let Go / The Dear Misses / February 28, 2017
[This is The Dear Misses first full length album. “Just Let Go” was written over the course of 4 years. TDM started as a side project for lead singer Todd Anderson and Guitarist Cody Stapleton and caught full sail upon the addition of Drummer Bret Collins in 2014 and Bassist Shane Berggren in Late 2015. This Lawrence Kansas 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 info at: http://www.reverbnation.com/thedearmisses%5D

108. Violent Bear – Post Everything / Violent Bear / March 24, 2017
[KC based garage folk band with hints of Southern Gothic and nods to old country roots, formed by husband and wife musicians: Stephen & Danger Herzig, who rotate on a variety of instruments. The band also includes: Noah Cassidy on lead guitar, Jonas Cassidy on bass, and Jake Rogers on synthesisers. Violent Bear also released multiple single tracks this year.] [Violent Bear played PorchFest KC on Saturday, October 14.]

109. Westerners – Reoccurring Dream Theme / The Record Machine / July 14, 2017
[Debut full length album from Lawrence / Kansas City based band formed in August of 2013. The band includes: Mitch Hewlett, Josh Hartranft, Matthew Pesma and Gerardo Rojas. Westerners signed to Kansas City independent label The Record Machine in 2015.] [Westerners played an album release at Mills Record Co, Fri, July 7, w/ Shortsweather and at Love Garden Records, Lawrence, July 8, w/ No Magic, and CS Luxem.]

110. Bobby Sauder – Dark Empire Fairgrounds / Whatever Forever / Feb 24, 2017
[Debut solo release from Bobby Sauder of the Lawrence Kansas based band Karma Vision and cofounder of Whatever Forever Records. After the birth of his first child, Sauder found himself putting on a lot of folk and country records to help keep the volume down around the house. The influence of musicians like Townes Van Zant, Emmylou Harris, and The Band influenced his songwriting. All the songs were writtenon a guitar that only had 5 strings. Music and lyrics by Bobby Sauder (except “Josie Darner” written by Carey Scott and “Will You Bury Me?” written by Jamie Lacore). Produced by Bobby Sauder and Ross Williams. Engineered by Ross Williams. Mixed by Ross Williams and Bobby Sauder. Mastered by Brian Miller. Drums on tracks 1,3,5,6 played by Mark Osman Organ on track 7 played by Ben Sauder. Lyrics Collaborator on tracks 3 and 4 is Carey Scott. Track 2 co-engineered by Brad Girard. Recorded in Lawrence, Kansas.]

111. Golden Groves – Recess EP / Golden Groves / July 7, 2017
[Second EP from KC based 4-piece band: Isaac Hodges on vocals & guitar, Dylan Nelson on lead guitar, Max Kmeck on bass, Andrew Lewis on drums. All songs written & recorded by Golden Groves, Produced & mixed by Jim Barnes. Mastering by PNW Mastering. More info at: http://www.goldengrovesmusic.com] [Golden Groves played an EP Release show on Friday, July 7, at 8:00 PM, at The Riot Room, 4048 Broadway St, KCMO, with Westside Royal, Shadow Rabbits, and Sleeptalk from L.A.]

112. JohnnySuperColossal – Doors in the Wall / HearYou Music / Oct 27, 2017
[JohnnySuperColossal is the musical project of KC based Shawn Stewart who is originally from Chicago.]

113. Combo Los Yogas – Cañabrava Música / Vampisoul – Discos Fuentes / Feb 10, 2017
[Vampi Soul re-issue of an obscure 1968 Discos Fuentes gem Cañabrava by Combo Los Yogas, a short-lived early Colombian salsa band from Medellín directed and arranged by Aníbal José Ángel Echeverri, the famous antioqueño keyboardist known as Aníbal Ángel or simply Anán. Employing Barranquilla native Johnny Moré as his lead vocalist and a full combo with trumpet, trombone, congas and timbales, Los Yogas recorded a fantastic collection of cover tunes in the guaguancó, son, guajira, descarga, and cha-cha-chá rhythms. The sound is very raw and hard, something that makes this obscure 1968 Discos Fuentes record a sought-after collector’s item. Thanks to the inherent quality and execution of its repertoire, “Cañabrava” provides a wonderful snapshot of the influences and early development of the genre of salsa in 1960s Colombia.]

114. The Ovaries-eez – Moon Birth / Whatever Forever / January 6, 2017
[Lawrence band’s 2nd full length. Recorded, mixed, & mastered by Dual Diamonds on Whatever Forever. Guitar & vocals by Monica George & Johni Lacore & Amber Hansen on vocals, Jim Martin on Instrumentation, Brett Grady on viola. Songs by Johni Lacore, Amber Hansen, Monica George.]

115. Ramy Essam – Letter to the UN Security Council / Ramy Essam / 2016
[Ramy Essam was born in 1987, in Mansoura, Egypt. He is an Egyptian musician, best known for his appearances in Tahrir Square in Cairo during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. His song Irhal, in which then Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was urged to resign, gained great popularity among the demonstrators. It became internationally known through YouTube, and is referred to as the anthem of the revolution. In 2011, it was selected by Time Out as the third-most world-changing song of all time. He currently sings hard rock songs, one of the few singers in Egypt to sing rock. Ramy also expressed his mourning of the revolution’s martyrs on Facebook. On 9 March 2011, when the Egyptian Army forcibly cleared the square, he was arrested and tortured. In October 2014, Essam was offered safe city residence for two years by the Malmö Municipality of Sweden. He is the first musician who has been offered this by Malmö but two writers have been offered it before. In addition to the residence permit, he also gets accommodation. He describes his situation as an artist in Egypt as “terrible” and is happy he can come to Sweden to study. Essam says it will be the first time he has the chance to study music, that he will keep make music and be an ambassador of the Egyptian revolution. Essam was featured on the 2014 compilation Songs from a Stolen Spring that paired Western musicians with artists from the Arab Spring, Essam’s “Bread, Freedom” was meshed with Mighty Sam McClain’s performance of “If I Can Dream”. This year Ramy Essam released the single “The Camp” with PJ Harvey. ] [Ramy Essam played Folk Alliance International conference where he received the 2017 Spirt of Folk Award.]

116. Ani DiFranco – Binary / Righteous Babe / June 9, 2017
[20th studio album from Ani DiFranco, who was born Angela Maria DiFranco on September 23, 1970. She is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, poet, songwriter and businesswoman. She is a feminist icon. Although DiFranco’s music has been classified as folk rock and alternative rock she has added punk, funk, hip hop and jazz influences. DiFranco created her own record label, Righteous Babe, giving her significant creative freedom. DiFranco supports many social and political movements by performing benefit concerts, appearing on benefit albums and speaking at rallies. Through the Righteous Babe Foundation DiFranco has backed grassroots cultural and political organizations supporting causes including abortion rights to gay visibility. She counts famed American folk singer and songwriter Pete Seeger among her mentors.] [Ani DiFranco attended Folk Alliance International’s 2017 conference to deliver a special presentation on Friday, February 17.]

117. The Coathangers – Parasite EP / Suicide Squeeze Records / May 5, 2017
[All female punk quartet from Atlanta, Georgia, includes: lead vocalist – Julia Kugel, drummer – Stephanie Luke, keyboardist – Candice Jones and bassist – Meredith Franco. The band formed in 2006 as a joke. After playing a house show, they were asked to open for The Hiss on the strength of their performance. The name “Coathangers” refers to a method of self-induced abortion and was chosen for its irreverent vulgarity; all of the band’s members are pro-choice]

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

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