| Main | | | Blog Archives | | | Contact/Submissions | | | My Space |
 Paul Rosevear air date: Monday March 1st
Asbury Park's acclaimed songwriter/frontman Paul Rosevear (Readymade Breakup, The Blakes) has long been lauded as one of the Garden State's boldest talents. Through 2009, Paul toured with Readymade Breakup, including spirited performances at Austin's SXSW festival that left fans and taste makers buzzing. Paul is a prolific creator and is always hungry for finding new ways to express himself through music. He has faithfully nurtured his following of fans, friends and supporters over the years.
Paul’s latest release, Broken Nosed Poetry, is his debut recording as a solo artist. The 5-song EP is a stripped down collection of songs that offers the most intimate look at Paul's work and life thus far. Recorded by Ian Larkin (Alicia Keys, A.C. Newman) and mixed by Joel Hamilton (Nina Simone, The Black Keys, Tom Waits), the EP will be available on iTunes March 9th. www.paulrosevear.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Cuppa Joe air date: Wednesday February 24th
cuppa joe was formed in 1991 at Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) by Doug Larkin, Bob "Diz" Diszler and Steve Spatucci. Doug and Diz, friends since childhood, had been playing music together for years when they made the decision to form a band. Doug had written a number of songs since the breakup of his previous band, The Soil. Former Soil guitarist Steve Playo suggested his housemate, Steve Spatucci, as a candidate for the newly formed band's drummer position. After several rehearsals, the band formally came together as cuppa joe.
cuppa joe played its first show at Café Lion, the outdoor evening cafeteria at Trenton State, on a warm spring night in 1991. In the following year they recorded 8 songs with John Bailey at S.S. Sound Studios and released them as the "Demonstrations" cassette. The band began playing shows at The Rat (Trenton State's on-campus bar), Tir Na Nog, Stevie T's, and Club 14 in Trenton, and various other venues around New Jersey, New York City and the Philadelphia region. After graduating from college, Doug, Steve and Diz landed a small deal with New Jersey-based label Dromedary records. Their first Dromedary release was the song "Meanings" on the "...Nothing Smells Quite Like Elizabeth" compilation CD in 1992. The band returned to S.S. Sound Studios in 1993 and recorded additional songs which were first issued on 1993's "Busy Work E.P." and then on their first full-length CD, "Nurture", in 1994 - both Dromedary Records releases. In the fall of 1993, Diz left the band to pursue a career in public service. Doug's younger brother Rick stepped in to fill the vacated bass position. For the next two years, cuppa joe played shows at The Fast Lane in Asbury Park, The Bond Street Cafe and Under Acme in New York City, The Chestnut Cabaret in Philadelphia, Stevie T's, Tir Na Nog, and The Rat in Trenton, Love Sexy and Live Tonight! in Hoboken, Stockton State College, and other bars and clubs, book stores, self-created firehouse shows, and in-home performances in support of "Nurture". The band also did radio interviews and in-studio performances on WHTG in Long Branch, NJ, WMWM in Salem, MA, and WPRB in Princeton, NJ during this period. During this time, Doug amassed a series of solo four-track recordings. Four of these songs were released in 1994 under Doug's solo project name, "Passenger". Doug and Steve started a label, Inkling Records, through which they released the Passenger 7" E.P. Doug made a decision in 1995 to join the Peace Corps. Before being sent to Kenya for a two-year tour, the band recorded 16 new songs, and performed a few local shows around central New Jersey. After Doug had left the country, the band released those songs as "Casualties of Explorations and Growth", a full-length cassette album. cuppa joe then went on hiatus. During this period, Drive-In Records, a small label from Grand Rapids, Michigan, contacted the band. Drive-In selected two songs from "Casualties", releasing them as the "Archichipellago/Love Peace Anarchy Infinity" 7" vinyl single in 1995. While Doug was in Kenya, he began writing songs inspired by his Peace Corps experiences. He recorded 16 songs on a boombox in his one-room African home, singing and playing acoustic guitar. These low-fi recordings were sent to Steve in America, who added percussion and backing vocal tracks. The cross-continental effort was self-released on cassette as "The Short Rains" in early 1997. Doug returned from his Peace Corps duty later in 1997, writing another batch of new songs. Doug's brother Rick was now off at college, so Doug and Steve found Craig Frame, whose band Uncle Seymour had played with cuppa joe at Trenton State, and asked Craig to join what would be the last phase of the band. With Craig, cuppa joe played two shows - one at Bryn Mawr University in Pennsylvania (with Australian band The Lucksmiths), and their final performance at The Rat at Trenton State, in 1998. They also recorded four new songs at this point - two songs written by Doug, and two written and featuring lead vocals/guitar by Craig. Doug and his wife re-joined The Peace Corps in 1998 and left for duty in Papua, New Guinea. Before leaving, Doug and Steve collected these news songs, as well as a few live tracks, unreleased demos and studio-recorded songs, as their final self-released CD, "Following Lights Into the Forest", in early 1999. Doug moved to Madison, Wisconsin in 2005 to teach chemistry and get his Master's Degree. Before leaving, he and Steve recorded a cover of the Split Enz song "Message to My Girl" - their first recording together since 1998. www.myspace.com/cuppajoeband Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Lost In Society air date: Monday February 22nd
Lost in Society is an Alternative/Pop Punk band based in the Asbury Park area of New Jersey. The band was founded in 2004 and is currently comprised of Zach Moyle on guitar and lead vocals, Nick Ruroede on bass and back up vocals and Hector Bonora on drums. Lost in Society had an original history of covering songs but for the last four years have been writing their own songs thanks to the exceptional talent of Zach Moyle, the lead guitarist. This very entrepreneurial band began booking their own shows with one of their first appearances at the PNC Arts Center in New Jersey.
In 2005 as the bands music and rousing stage presence became evident, they began their association with Jersey Shows, a production company that books bands around Monmouth county in New Jersey. They had several exhilarating shows in venues such as The Stone Pony , The Saint and Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, Chubbys in Red Bank, NJ and summer concerts at Bar "A" in Belmar, NJ and Seaside Music Festival as well as Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ They were then introduced to Jon Leidersdorff of Lakehouse Music, NJ in 2006 who produced and recorded their first EP titled "GONE". While continuing thrilling audiences young and old, they entered Jersey Shows 8th annual Battle of the Bands. Out of 160 bands they placed 4th at the finals at Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ. Since that time they have continued to play to various venues and were nominated for an Asbury Music Award in the category of Best Young Band in 2007, and Best Young Band and Best Punk/Reggae Band for 2008 and again in 2009 which in 2008 had opened the award show at The Stone Pony. During the last two years, Lost in Society has found themselves playing yearly tours encompassing New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Ohio. You can also hear them on local college radio stations such as Monmouth University,88.9, Brookdale College, 90.5, and Seton Hall ,89.5 and many others. Most recently, with the release of their 2nd CD "Eastern Empire", they are now affiliated with AAM (Advanced Alternative Media) contact person David Casagrande. Lost in Society can also be heard on Reverbnation (ranked #3 best local artist in Asbury Park out of 144 bands), Rhapsody, Jukebox Alive, iTunes, CD Baby, Indierythym and Interpunk. Management for Lost in Society is Kimberley Bierley, Colie Brice for Aeria Records and legal management by Anthony Caruso. Lost in Society generally plays an electric set of original music and select covers providing guitars, amps and drum kit. Acoustic venues are also taken into consideration. Through the ever growing talents of these three young musicians, Lost in Society will be a band that will resound through the years and continue to attract a solid, well rounded fan base. www.lostinsociety.net Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Nick Prueher of the Found Footage Fest air date: Thursday November 5th, 2009
The Found Footage Festival is a one-of-a-kind event that showcases footage from videos that were found at garage sales and thrift stores and in warehouses and dumpsters across the country.
Joe and Nick began collecting found videotapes in 1991 after stumbling across a training video entitled, "Inside and Outside Custodial Duties" in a McDonald's break room. Since then, they have compiled an impressive collection of strange, outrageous, and profoundly stupid videos on VHS. Three rules govern Found Footage Festival: 1) Footage must be found on physical format, no YouTube; 2) Footage must be unintentionally funny; 3) No Richard Simmons footage. Since 2004, the Found Footage Festival has gone on to sell out hundreds of shows across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., including the HBO Comedy Festival at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. The festival has been featured on National Public Radio, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and G4 TV’s Attack Of The Show, and has been named a critic’s pick in dozens of publications, including The Village Voice, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle ("Riotous!"), AVClub.com ("Skull-crushingly funny.") and The Chicago Tribune. Joe and Nick, whose credits include The Onion and Late Show With David Letterman, are also the directors of the award-winning feature-length documentary, Dirty Country. If you've got VHS footage we need to see, send it our way! Tell us where you found it and its history if you know. If we use it, we'll send you a free FFF DVD. Send to: Found Footage Festival, 11-58 49th Ave., #3F, Long Island City, NY 11101. www.foundfootagefest.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Alex Dawson (director A Clockwork Orange The Play) air date: Wednesday September 30, 2009
Belching smokestacks, colossal clock cogs, the ribbed wreckage of a crashed zeppelin, all underlit by the blazing Fires of Industry, Dawson’s steam-punk* version of Anthony Burgess’s A CLOCKWORK ORANGE features a soundtrack of Beethoven symphonies screened through the fractious filters of punk, thrash, and techno, then scribble scratched by a goggle-eyed DJ sitting atop a scaffolded clock tower that rises fifteen feet above the boards. Using an aesthetic he describes as “Quadrophenia meets Brave New World,” Dawson collaborates with mod Finnish fashion designer Anu Susi, abandoning the sleazy seventies vibe of Kubrick’s film for a sort of industrial elegance: tailored suits, swine snouted gas masks, huge buckled boots and, of course, the iconic bowler.
clockworkorangetheplay.blogspot.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Analogue Transit air date: Thursday September 10, 2009
The name is self-explanatory: Analogue Transit represents the transition of sound from analog to digital. The members of the group, Jeff Shreiner and Kwaku, have taken the basis for their sound and christened themselves with it. The Brooklyn-based duo, however, is more than just a catchy name. Jeff & Kwaku met while working on a previous project. Mild-mannered music teacher by day, Kwaku plays lead guitar and lends his salt and pepper vocals to the studio versions, which he then improvises and reiterates on stage. Jeff, something of a musical renaissance man, is the production wunderkind that pushes and pulls sounds into shapes, helping them achieve equilibrium. By adding the human element, the two recreate on stage the intricate process that takes place in the studio, resulting in a sound that is both comfortably familiar and a welcome challenge. Artistically methodical in their approach, the two musicians incorporate both analog and digital techniques to make music that is progressively forward-thinking without losing the lovingly hand-crafted touch of analog production. To be clear, though, this is not the tired battle of old school vs. new school. Rather, Analogue Transit place themselves in an alternate universe where the old and new co-exist, engaging in a seamless dialog uninterrupted by disputes between generations and the gaps created by things lost in transition.
www.myspace.com/analoguetransit Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Hugh Cornwell (from the Stranglers) air date: Wednesday September 9, 2009
Hugh Cornwell is one of the UK's finest song-writing talents and accomplished live performers. The original guitarist, singer and main songwriter in The Stranglers enjoyed massive UK and European success with ten hit albums and twenty-one top forty singles in the 17-year period he was in the band. The Stranglers etched themselves into the UK's musical psyche with 'Peaches', 'No More Heroes', 'Golden Brown', 'Always The Sun', 'Grip', 'Nice N Sleazy', 'Duchess', 'Walk On By', 'Strange Little Girl' and 'Skin Deep'.
Cornwell has revelled in his musical freedom ever since a sold out Stranglers gig at London's Alexandra Palace in the summer of 1990, when he announced he would be leaving the group. He has released seven solo albums, Wolf (1988) Wired (1993) Guilty (1997) Hifi (2001) Beyond Elysian Fields (2004) Footprints in the Desert (2005) Dirty Dozen (2006) and three collaborations, Nosferatu (1979) featuring Robert Williams, CCW (1992) featuring Roger Cook and Andy West and Sons Of Shiva (2002) featuring Sex W Johnston. Cornwell's book, The Stranglers: Song by Song, was published in November 2001 by Sanctuary Publishing. In it he explains for the first time the real stories behind the Stranglers extensive catalogue of songs. In October 2004 Cornwell's autobiography A Multitude of Sins was published by Harper Collins. The Stranglers' most successful song, Golden Brown, featured on the soundtrack to Guy Ritchie's Hollywood blockbuster Snatch; whilst Peaches was used as the opening sequence of the hit film Sexy Beast as well as in a Nike TV ad for 2002's Football World Cup. A triple live album, People Places Pieces is available at www.peopleplacespieces.com and contains 45 tracks spanning the whole of Cornwell's career. It spans his time with the Stranglers from 1974 to 1990, plus his critically acclaimed solo career to date and features remarkable performances of old and new standards. Cornwell has completed his new album Hooverdam and first film Blueprint in Toerag Studios with producer Liam Watson (White Stripes 'Elephant'). Hooverdam will be made available worldwide as a free download in June 2008 from www.hooverdamdownload.com and the physical release on Invisible Hands Music will be a triple sleeved digipak featuring both album and film in one exclusive CD/DVD package. The album will also be available on vinyl. Blueprint is a live performance of the studio album and features an interview with Cornwell conducted by Robert Elms at Tate Britain. www.hooverdamdownload.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Joshua Van Ness air date: Wednesday September 2, 2009
"My music is "soul rock". I have been influenced by a lot of classic rock of the 60s & 70s and the alternative rock that ruled the airwaves during my early teens. Those influences have been balanced out by my love for soulful singers such as Prince, Dug Pinick, Chris Robinson, Van Hunt and others." - Joshua Van Ness
www.myspace.com/joshuavanness Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The Break Evens air date: Tuesday August 25th, 2009
Mel Chrome- guitar, vocals
Mark Parker - bass, vocals Jay Mazeffect - drums, vocals www.myspace.com/thebreakevens Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 LAW air date: Wednesday August 12th, 2009
Law is a group of artists, progressives, heretics, atheists and apostates. The sound is heavy and melodic, featuring violin in the main accompaniment. Since 2005, Law has been playing shows and has supported some notable artists such as, kittie, Otep, 3 inches of Blood, In This Moment and others. Law released their debut EP in 2007 entitled, "Of Monkeys and Man" in line with their overtones of consciousness raising and intellectually driven concepts such as Darwin's evolution by natural selection. Law is currently working on a full-length follow up to 'of monkeys...'
As a true artist, one is always looking to cause problems that affect people’s previously held notions and beliefs. There is a frustration however, in the artist’s mind that perhaps people are too stupid or too scared to think critically and to change. Therefore, much of what we do as artists is geared towards alienating those very people before they get in over their heads. LAW, in effect, is a preemptive middle finger. Enjoy. www.myspace.com/luciferatwork Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Marcy Playground air date: Thursday July 23rd, 2009
On their riveting and keenly-anticipated fourth album, Leaving Wonderland... in a fit of rage, Marcy Playground return to action in triumphant fashion. Armed with songs born of an intense and turbulent period in his life, MP's main man, singer/guitarist John Wozniak, has fashioned a record that digs deep, taking the listener on an exhilarating and satisfying emotional and musical rollercoaster ride. Its creator is justifiably proud of his accomplishment, calling it "by far the best thing I've ever done. This is the most personal record I've ever made, and I think it's the thing that will connect most with other people."
A highly original and melodic modern rock band, Marcy Playground exploded onto the scene back in 1997 with the insanely irresistible hit single "Sex And Candy," a song that notched [a then-record] fifteen consecutive weeks at number one on Billboard's U.S. Modern Rock tracks chart and a self-titled debut album that went on to sell 1.7 million copies. www.marcyplayground.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Hey Tiger air date: Wednesday July 22nd, 2009
Hey Tiger comes at you with rich vocals, catchy beats, and an elusive aesthetic that appeals to fans of indie, folk, and rock music alike. This versatile band seems to effortlessly blend elements from a wide range of influences into a focused, original sound.
Christina Alessi simply owns everything she sings: spitting fire and singing seductively, expressing passion, longing, and regret with confidence. The vibrant rhythm section of Jim Lovegrove (bass) and Joshua Bicknell (drums) coupled with the tasteful guitars of Damien Musto and Wayne Dorell provide the perfect platform for Alessi’s voice. She drives the songs, telling her stories of heartbreak and romantic fulfillment with the assurance of a young Nancy Wilson. It’s no surprise that Hey Tiger has already made believers out of rock fans at home. They performed at Giants Stadium as winners of a contest sponsored by WPLJ to select the New York metro area’s best unsigned band. They also performed live on “The Big Show with Scott and Todd” for over 1 million listeners. The band just released Morning Light, the anticipated follow-up to September, their debut full-length album. This EP shows Hey Tiger aging more like a fine wine than a pop group, from the brazen beat of “Falling Again” to the lilting ruminations of “Atmosphere.” Every song plucks at emotional strings, with Alessi’s voice turning up its past warmth to a full simmer, just barely containing the fervor that saturates every song. www.heytigerband.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Kindred Souls air date: Thursday July 16th, 2009
Kindred Souls are testament to the fact that passion and persistence trump all. The New Jersey based six piece has traveled many roads to arrive where they are now – a rock band that has entertained people from coast to coast, and has now established a name for themselves in New York City and the Jersey Shore. Their sound has grown and evolved, and that growth is on display on their new album Social Ninja, a work that speaks to their musical dedication, love and perseverance.
www.kindred-souls.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Jonathan Andrew air date: Friday June 26th, 2009
Jonathan Andrew is a songwriter and acoustic performer based in Red Bank, New Jersey. Jonathan is a veteran of late 90's Jersey-based trio The Angry Monsters, with Chris Pierson (Velour 44) and Jason Kundrath (Hero Pattern), and several collaborative projects with noted NJ songsmith Mike Ferraro, including Ciampi and, currently, Mike Ferraro and the Young Republicans. As a member of NJ-based quartet Souls' Release from 2004 to 2006, Jonathan appeared on two self-released CDs, including the 2005 Asbury Music Award nominated "Through The Feeling," and performed throughout the NY-NJ-PA rock axis as well as on stages from Boston to Louisville to Washington, DC to Chicago. Jonathan has been composing songs since 1997, and began public airing of this material via solo performances in late 2003. Since his departure from Souls' Release in the summer of 2006, Jonathan has focused on this self-penned material with a newfound vigor, resulting in a series of well-received performances and a wealth of new compositions. Jonathan will release "Arrivals & Departures," his debut EP, this summer.
www.purevolume.com/jonandrew Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Kava Kava air date: Thursday June 25th, 2009
Turbo charged rocked out and funked up live rock/dance act from the UK featuring the soulful vocals of singer Pat Fulgoni with Matt Bond guitar, Martin Chung bass, Chris Corrigan drums, Steve Davies and Ian Bailey horn section ... vocals, guitars, electronica, brass, strings and beats. Kava Kava's music has been featured in popular TV series such as DIRT, JOHN FROM CINCINNATI, WEEDS etc, films including BOYS & GIRLS GUIDE TO GETTING DOWN, new snowboarding game STOKED and they have played clubs and festivals all over EUROPE, in the STATES and in CHINA.
www.myspace.com/kavakavamusic Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Dave Wakeling (The English Beat / General Public) air date: Wednesday June 17th, 2009
Dave Wakeling is a rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is most famous for singing and writing songs for the 1980s ska bands The English Beat as well as General Public. Dave Wakeling still tours the world with an all-star ska band, playing hits from The English Beat, and General Public.
www.davewakeling.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Gordon Brown (Wave Gathering) air date: Wednesday June 10th, 2009
The Wave Gathering Music Festival will take place June 19 – 21, 2009 in Asbury Park, NJ. Coinciding with the rebirth of Asbury Park, the music of the region's great new artists are showcased throughout the entire weekend. In past years, Wave Gathering has brought hundreds of original bands to town and introduced their music to thousands of tourists making their way into Asbury Park. The Wave is a three-day weekend event that offers great entertainment in many venues throughout the city.
www.wavegathering.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Patti Rothberg air date: Wednesday May 6th, 2009
Patti Rothberg is a native New Yorker. A voracious music fan, she listened regularly to AM radio ("...honey you are my shining star..."), classic rock ("I'm Not In Love", "Good Times Bad Times"), WLIR's new wave ("Lets Go To Bed", "Cities in Dust"). The first record she remembers putting on the stereo is "Sgt. Pepper", but the first she recalls buying at the mall is Culture Club's "Kissing to Be Clever". She was raised in Scarsdale, NY a suburb famous for a diet doctor's homicide. The summer of 1988 she attended the National Guitar Summer Workshop, which would later prove to have been an excellent move. It was at NGSW she met Dave Greenberg, a then aspiring student of music production. Patti graduated Scarsdale Alternative School (the experimental community school slightly smaller, slightly "hipper" than the larger Scarsdale High) and like rockers John Lennon and Keith Richards pursued a career in the visual arts. Boston University had Patti painting lots of nudes and still life with fruit, but fear of a future with no bread led her to Parson's School of Design in NYC. She majored in illustration where she drew more nudes and still lifes, however this time with a client or product in mind (!). Her third year she applied to Parsons Paris and was accepted. It was there she wrote the songs which would appear two years later on her first full length recording, "Between The One And The Nine" (EMI America). Back at Parsons NYC, Patti's senior year saw more experimentation. Playing guitar in a subway station walkway she met Denise (Creepy), who introduced her to the all female industrial band Thrust who Patti played with from 1993-94. Later on at Richie Baxt's Guitar repair shop Patti ran into old pal Dave Greenberg, still studying production. This fateful reunion produced the demos that would become "1&9". Patti signed with EMI in February of 1995 and recording "Between The One And The Nine" commenced soon after. She auditioned drummer Adrian Harpham who played drums on the album, Patti handling all bass and guitar duties herself, The album's release date was April 2, 1996, and it went on to sell over 250,000 domestically and over 200,000 in Europe and Japan. The single "Inside" reached ..32 on the Billboard Pop Charts. After the album's release the rest of the touring band was selected. Demian Simms (guitar), James Elliott (bass), and Adam MacDougal (keyboards) rounded out the line-up. They toured the U.S. supporting Chris Isaak, The Wallflowers, Midnight Oil, and Paul Westerberg. TV appearances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night With David Letterman, Oprah, and Canada's Much Music. Bass player James left in mid 1996 replaced by Carl Carter who toured with Patti in Europe supporting The Black Crowes (Feb. 1997). It was later that same year that Patti played a simple acoustic set at Acme Underground back in NYC again. On sound that night was NYC rock legend Freddie Katz. The two discussed bands they both loved. Classics David Bowie, Alice Cooper, The Only Ones, Kate Bush, and local NYC bands The Creeps,The Cycle Sluts From Hell, New York Dolls, The Velvet Underground are just a few. Patti saw that Freddie had the right influences to take her music where it wanted to go and enlisted him to produce a demo for "You Killed My Time", one of her new songs. Both were pleased with the initial results and decided to continue recording what was to become Patti's second album "Candelabra Cadabra". The album was recorded in Long Island with Freddie's longtime friend, engineering whiz Bob Stander, in a now defunct studio called "Avalon". The studio's name proved to be fateful due to the Pre-Raphaelite imagery of the album. College pal Vanessa Johnson designed the cd booklet with Patti, solidifying Parsons' role in the saga. The two had met in the school computer center; Vanessa's tell tale guitar magazine sticking out of her knapsack. Recently Patti completed "Double Standards", a collection of new songs. It is the culmination of the melodic pop rock associated with "1&9", and the psychedelic explorations and Queen-like harmonies of the "Candelabra" era. The combination is doubly delicious. The title track is an exploration of the concept of good vs. evil wherein " ...the devil loves a double standard and heaven isn't selling cheap..." The album is split down the middle between hard rock and heartfelt acoustic songs. What brings it all together is Patti's melodic sensibility and unique lyrical perceptions. Had this been the age of vinyl, the harder songs might all go on one side, the softer on the other. Both are unmistakably Patti and equally true to her musical leanings. Patti is currently looking forward to touring in support "Double Standards" which was released in May of 2008.
www.pattirothberg.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Particle Zoo air date: Wednesday April 29th, 2009
Melody-driven alt-rock with '60s retro buzz and '80s pop-rock beep.
www.pzoo.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Julie air date: Monday April 13th, 2009
Mixing atmospheric orchestral elements with impassioned lyrics, humor, and a post punk edge, LA based band Julie goes deep and embraces all its intensity with the release of their 2nd album, An Act of Communication, The band stylistically tales a sonic leap forward while still remaining true to their adventurous indie rock roots seamlessly merging depth and whimsy both musically and lyrically.
The origins of Julie dates back to front man Nathan Blumenfeld-James and guitar player Dustin Bath’s high school days where they met in LA in the mid 90’s and spent their musically formative years. Nate was playing drums and Dustin was learning guitar in the living rooms of their parent’s homes. The two have been collaborating playing, and producing music in several band configurations over the past 10 years, as well as playing and producing for others including mega X games winner, Danny Way. Nathan stepped out from behind the drums when Julie was formed and when Mark Nilan, Jr., Jon Spence and Adam Alessi came on board Julie came into their own. “Being in Julie is the most rewarding/hardest/beautiful experience and it is truly my calling,” says James, whose fervent live performances are reminiscent of The Pixies. Performing with live horns, strings and the occasional belly dancer, Julie delivers sustenance to audiences starved for authenticity around Los Angeles. With heroes and influences ranging from Spiderman to Honky Tonk, the members of Julie are grateful to play in a band that has the guts and the commitment to stay fresh not formulaic. “Julie’s music will make you feel good inside”, says Dustin. “There is an unexplainable magic and chemisty in the songs” adds Nathan. Emerging as a band that refuses to be limited by a genre, Julie is following their muse wherever she may take them. Julie the band is: Nathan Blumenfeld-James Dustin Bath Mark Nilan Jon Spence Adam Alessi www.julietheband.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Charlie Hunter air date: Wednesday April 1st, 2009
Since the debut of his self-titled Charlie Hunter Trio in 1993, Charlie Hunter has recorded 17 albums. During that time, Hunter has worked with and recorded with many artists, including Miles Perkins, Scott Amendola, Will Bernard, Skerik, Jay Lane, Dave Ellis, John Ellis, Mimi Fox, Peter Apfelbaum, Stefon Harris, Kurt Elling, Bobby Previte, Greg Osby, Chris Lovejoy, LeonParker, Josh Roseman, John Santos, John Schott, D’angelo, Calder Spanier, Mos Def, Norah Jones, Adam Cruz, and Willard Dyson, to name just a few.
Charlie Hunter's latest album, "Baboon Strength", is his first self-release in a career spanning over 15 years. Critics are hailing it as his most innovative and provocative release to date. Perhaps this is due to the fact that Charlie released and produced this record by himself. To hear about the record in Charlie's own words check out his blog entitled, "Baboon Strength".
www.charliehunter.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 ClueLess air date: Monday March 30th, 2009
Based out of the New York City area, clueLess is the creative outlet for songwriters Joe and Nelson Pla. Their sound is indie rock with middle-eastern, celtic, latin and jazz rhythms.
The band spent most of 2005 and 2006 touring in support of their debut release, The Best of clueLess: Volume I. With Volume II in the works, clueLess will be back out on the road eventually. They are currently preparing a benefit show for the Global Fund for Women on Thursday, April 9, 2009 at Maxwells's in Hoboken, NJ. www.nelsonpla.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Shirock air date: Monday March 2nd, 2009
With recent political events inspiring people around the world to believe that change is on the way, there’s no better time for SHIROCK, an earnest young band with an uplifting message, to make their mark on the music scene. “The reason we make music is because we want to be a catalyst for change, and we feel like that begins with being honest about who we are and where we’re at...the dirt and the glory, the big ideas and the problems we see, all of the dreams and uncertanties...” says the band’s founder, frontman, and namesake Chuck Shirock. “Our hope is by doing that, we’ll be part of a shift in our generation to live for the things that matter and not get caught up in the things that don’t.”
To that end, SHIROCK make music that capitalizes on the transformative power of rock and roll and its ability to move and inspire people. Their dynamic debut album, Everything Burns, is filled with bold, anthemic songs that bristle with restless urgency and passionate optimism. You can hear it not only in the sonics — the sweeping melodies, the textured layers of gritty guitars and plaintive keyboards, and Chuck’s fervent wailing vocals — but also in the lyrics, which are rooted in the personal, the political, and the spiritual. Produced by Jay Ruston, who has also worked with The Donnas, Everclear, Matisyahu, and Cold War Kids, Everything Burns may sound grand and expansive, but underneath the soaring arrangements is a singer/songwriter album at heart, creating an interesting tension that allows the songs to feel both personal and universal. Though SHIROCK is a five-piece, at its core are songwriters Chuck Shirock and Pap. The two met in 1999 and discovered that they had both spent time living overseas with missionary parents. Chuck grew up in the Philippines and Scotland before his family returned to the States, while Pennsylvania-born Pap’s Greek family settled in Ohio after a year spent in Turkey. Both Vocal Performance majors, they began playing music together in college, with Pap contributing harmonies and keyboard parts to Chuck’s early demos. Eventually she joined Chuck onstage. While also studying music and music business at the same college, drummer Adam Gatchel and bassist Derek Blank joined Chuck and Pap in Summer 2005. After being in various other bands, guitarist Jason Bynum joined the four in late 2006. Over the years, both the musical relationships and friendships within the band have grown and deepened, something that feels palpable upon listening to Everything Burns. “The songs on the album — they're our lives, our relationships, our friendships within the band. They're our pursuit of trying to figure out life, who we are, who God is, and how it all makes sense,” Chuck says. “It’s all of that put to music.” Indeed the songs on Everything Burns wrestle with the big questions. “New Solution” is about hoping for change and “a different way of doing things because how things are now just doesn’t work,” Chuck says. “Time Goes By” reflects a sense of restlessness. “We all go through those times when we wish we were in a different place or that life looked a bit different — when you’re just kind of stuck,” Pap says. “Still Young” insists that as long as long as you’re alive, you still have a chance to make a difference, Pap says. Finally, there’s “Everything Burns,” which is the album’s title track and sums up SHIROCK’s mission statement. “It’s this idea that our time is so valuable and limited...we want to use is wisely,” Chuck says. “So much around us is temporary. We want to live for the things that really matter…like relationships, pouring time and resources into people, and really making a difference. Everything else just burns.” SHIROCK don’t just sing about making a difference, they are actually making it happen. They recently launched the non-profit organization Everything Burns as a way to encourage their fans to help those in need. “People are passionate right now about wanting to do something to effect change,” Pap says, “but sometimes it’s hard to know how to get involved. This is a way for us to connect people we meet at shows with people in their area trying to make a difference.” In February 2009, SHIROCK will launch the “Everything Burns Tour,” which will stop in 14 major cities and partner with local charities working to solve issues of homelessness and poverty in their area. All income from the tour will go directly to charity. SHIROCK’s other plans for 2009 include expanding their Nashville-based fashion line, Irock Clothing, which Chuck and Pap launched in 2008 as a creative outlet and means to develop their brand. “So much of the band merchandise we see doesn’t really have the right fit or feel,” Chuck says. “We wanted to make T-shirts that you would want to wear even if you didn’t know the music. We’ve always been interested in fashion and wearing clothes that represent a person’s individuality and uniqueness.” The line, which features shirts, jackets, bags, and accessories, has been carried in stores regionally, and has sold out at every boutique that carried it. And of course 2009 will see the February release of Everything Burns, which SHIROCK recorded at Nashville’s Ocean Way studio with Jay Ruston. Five songs have been available since March 2008, when the EP 5 was released digitally on iTunes. In addition, the band sold more than 3,000 copies over seven months on the road, due in no small part to the strong fanbase SHIROCK has built through grassroots touring (more than 150 shows in the eastern U.S. in 2008) and marketing. Five songs from Everything Burns have also been featured on MTV’s The Hills among other placements on Television - including NBC’s ER. Getting their songs heard is all part of SHIROCK’s grand plan to make a difference. “So much music these days is just noise,” Chuck says. “It might be great-sounding noise, but it's still noise. It’s not communicating something real that makes you feel something. For us it’s about so much more than entertainment. We strive to make you feel something in everything we do.” www.shirock.net Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 FilmGo.net air date: Wednesday February 25, 2009
545 Productions has been inspired by talented film makers to launch a 24/7 all year round film festival. 545 has created FilmGo.net! We've started by hand selecting 10 featured films to take film viewing into the 21st century. FilmGo allows film distributors, producers and film viewers alike the opportunity to discover independent films outside of the traditional festival. You can come to this festival anytime from anywhere with internet access. FilmGo is a place to experience new films and each time you do you are supporting the film makers. Here at FilmGo you can share your opinion of films, check out entertainment news, play a movie trivia game and read Bill's Blog and see if his movie predictions come true.
FilmGo.net is also featuring new upcoming musicians! Come discover new tunes, see videos and download music. www.filmgo.net Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Rick Barry air date: Wednesday February 4, 2009
Rick Barry's voice is as honest as a drink at a bar with an old friend. His lyrics are raw, unapologetic poetry that reach well beyond his years. Evolving from folk music, into a sound that could only be described as "neo folk," he has truly reinvented himself and has been met with rave reviews in cities across North America.
What sets Barry worlds apart from other songwriters is his complete lack of censorship. Where others use metaphors and pleasantries, he speaks with unadultered candor. He has no limits, from politics to death, to the ills of society and the human element; he delivers a truth so bare, it's almost innocent. His new EP "This Antedilluvian World," represents the maturing of an already seasoned artist. And while his resume boasts numerous awards and accolades such as winning the grand prize for his song "Courage for a Rainy Day" in the John Lennon Song-Writing Contest among others, he dwells not in the past, but is constantly looking to the future of what his music will become. In addition to accolades for his music, Rick has also received notice for the conception of his award-winning Night in Progress Series, which challenges songwriters to pen a full set of new, never-before-heard music in one month's time. These nights, originating at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ, have hosted local as well as national talent and have recently expanded to include venues in other areas. www.myspace.com/rickbarryband Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Jon Caspi air date: Tuesday February 3, 2009
Jon Caspi has been a mainstay in the national college radio and NJ music scenes. His debut solo CD, This Town, was officially released in January 2005, and has been played on radio across the country (over 170 stations!). The first pressing sold out quickly, and the second pressing is almost out. Attention from this album, and his many live performances earned him a 2005 Asbury Music Award nomination in the category of Top Male Solo performer.
August 2006 saw the release of his second CD, I'm Not Angry...Anymore, which is also receiving radioplay and has received critical acclaim. The album received a 2006 Asbury Music Award nomination as one of the Top Local Releases of the year. A song from the album, Believe" was nominated for Song of the Year, and The Jon Caspi Band also received a nomination for Top Pop Band. In 2007, the Jon Caspi Band was part of a select group of NJ bands to be selected to perform on the TV show Jersey Shore Music Television. They also were nominated for an Asbury Music Award in the category of "Top Pop Band" - second year in a row! Other recent accomplishments include Jon's song, "Eight Days" being named as the BEST HANUKAH SONG OF 2005 by the Boston Herald and the Daily News Tribune! To buy "Eight Days" CLICK HERE. The Jon Caspi Band was also listed in 2006 as one of Jetty Magazine's Top-5 bands of Central New Jersey, and they were selected as one of a few area acts to appear on Jersey Shore Music Television in 2007. Jon is so well-known in his hometown that a local diner named a sandwich after him -- The Caspi Special -- which was available during the year of 2006 -- but you can still request it! Prior to operating under his own name, Jon had been the lead voice and songwriter for nationally successful acts such as Bouncing Off Bob and Boss Gremlin, has had his music featured on radio stations across the U.S, in films, and on MTV. Currently, Jon is primarily involved in the great local central-NJ scene. mostly showcasing original tunes from his successful debut solo CD, but he also performs covers at venues that request them. He is known for his fun, sing-a-long, live shows. Jon's 3rd solo album (with the Jon Caspi Band) titled "Eddie Knows!" A Novel has just been released and is available by CLICKING HERE. The album "reads like a novel" and is a story from beginning to end, with each song representing an individual chapter. It includes "Big Change" "Rise Above" and "Same Old Thing" -- songs Jon has been performing for that past year to very positive reception. www.joncaspi.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 New Day Dawn air date: Monday February 2, 2009
If a modern-day Pat Benatar sang with the Foo Fighters it might come close to the sound of New Day Dawn - powerful, sultry female vocals driving undeniably catchy, amped-up pop/rock tunes. Then again, their sound has its own unique elements, which while easy on the ear, somewhat defy specific comparisons. And this is just how the band’s lead songstress, Dawn Botti likes it.
New Day Dawn represents a new chapter for dynamic songstress, Dawn and her husband/ drummer Gary Szczecina. In the first half of the decade, their former project Slushpuppy seemed unstoppable- garnering multiple awards, a Jagermeister sponsorship and recurring play on KRock. A bit bruised, but wiser for the wear, the duo promise to stir things up a bit this time- focusing on uplifting, positive messages and melodies- but holding on tight to their hard edge roots. The band has just releasee its first full-length CD, “The Company We Keep”. The 9 song LP, while all “rock and roll”, represents the band’s diverse skills as well as Botti’s versatility as a singer. She is just as comfortable crooning with forlorn on the country-alt rock ballad “Daddy’s Song” as she is belting out with aggression and clarity on the modern rocker “Paralyzed”. And while together for little over a year the band’s live performances play like a well-oiled machine -- not surprising, considering Botti and Szczecina’s intimate familiarity and the fact that the other half of the band: PJ Angeloni (guitar) and Robert Choe (bass) have played in various other projects for years. And unlike much of today’s female “rock” - which is nothing more than pop-princesses singing over distorted guitars - New Day Dawn is sophisticated in its music and its approach and is the ultimate testament to true “Grrrl” power. "The guys don't have individual agendas for this project and are truly letting me be in charge. That is both scary and exciting!” Botti leads the band, both on and off the stage and while she admits feeling trepidation at times, her take-no-prisoners attitude and powerful vocals betray no signs of such timidity and are a perfect match for groups amped-up accessible pop/rock songs. "I will never be a mellow singer. I'm a rock chick through and through. But a more mature, experienced rock chick now.” Botti's new attitude is likely attributable to the fact that she and Szczecina became parents in 2005 with the birth of their son, Walker. "Having a child changes everything," says Botti, "you see the world through new eyes. It’s all exciting and wondrous again and you can't help but feel constant love surrounding you.” www.newdaydawnband.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Dave Wakeling (The English Beat / General Public) air date: Wednesday January 21, 2009
Dave Wakeling is a rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is most famous for singing and writing songs for the 1980s ska bands The English Beat as well as General Public. Dave Wakeling still tours the world with an all-star ska band, playing hits from The English Beat, and General Public.
www.davewakeling.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Patti Rothberg air date: Wednesday December 10, 2008
Patti Rothberg is a native New Yorker. A voracious music fan, she listened regularly to AM radio ("...honey you are my shining star..."), classic rock ("I'm Not In Love", "Good Times Bad Times"), WLIR's new wave ("Lets Go To Bed", "Cities in Dust"). The first record she remembers putting on the stereo is "Sgt. Pepper", but the first she recalls buying at the mall is Culture Club's "Kissing to Be Clever". She was raised in Scarsdale, NY a suburb famous for a diet doctor's homicide. The summer of 1988 she attended the National Guitar Summer Workshop, which would later prove to have been an excellent move. It was at NGSW she met Dave Greenberg, a then aspiring student of music production. Patti graduated Scarsdale Alternative School (the experimental community school slightly smaller, slightly "hipper" than the larger Scarsdale High) and like rockers John Lennon and Keith Richards pursued a career in the visual arts. Boston University had Patti painting lots of nudes and still life with fruit, but fear of a future with no bread led her to Parson's School of Design in NYC. She majored in illustration where she drew more nudes and still lifes, however this time with a client or product in mind (!). Her third year she applied to Parsons Paris and was accepted. It was there she wrote the songs which would appear two years later on her first full length recording, "Between The One And The Nine" (EMI America). Back at Parsons NYC, Patti's senior year saw more experimentation. Playing guitar in a subway station walkway she met Denise (Creepy), who introduced her to the all female industrial band Thrust who Patti played with from 1993-94. Later on at Richie Baxt's Guitar repair shop Patti ran into old pal Dave Greenberg, still studying production. This fateful reunion produced the demos that would become "1&9". Patti signed with EMI in February of 1995 and recording "Between The One And The Nine" commenced soon after. She auditioned drummer Adrian Harpham who played drums on the album, Patti handling all bass and guitar duties herself, The album's release date was April 2, 1996, and it went on to sell over 250,000 domestically and over 200,000 in Europe and Japan. The single "Inside" reached ..32 on the Billboard Pop Charts. After the album's release the rest of the touring band was selected. Demian Simms (guitar), James Elliott (bass), and Adam MacDougal (keyboards) rounded out the line-up. They toured the U.S. supporting Chris Isaak, The Wallflowers, Midnight Oil, and Paul Westerberg. TV appearances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night With David Letterman, Oprah, and Canada's Much Music. Bass player James left in mid 1996 replaced by Carl Carter who toured with Patti in Europe supporting The Black Crowes (Feb. 1997). It was later that same year that Patti played a simple acoustic set at Acme Underground back in NYC again. On sound that night was NYC rock legend Freddie Katz. The two discussed bands they both loved. Classics David Bowie, Alice Cooper, The Only Ones, Kate Bush, and local NYC bands The Creeps,The Cycle Sluts From Hell, New York Dolls, The Velvet Underground are just a few. Patti saw that Freddie had the right influences to take her music where it wanted to go and enlisted him to produce a demo for "You Killed My Time", one of her new songs. Both were pleased with the initial results and decided to continue recording what was to become Patti's second album "Candelabra Cadabra". The album was recorded in Long Island with Freddie's longtime friend, engineering whiz Bob Stander, in a now defunct studio called "Avalon". The studio's name proved to be fateful due to the Pre-Raphaelite imagery of the album. College pal Vanessa Johnson designed the cd booklet with Patti, solidifying Parsons' role in the saga. The two had met in the school computer center; Vanessa's tell tale guitar magazine sticking out of her knapsack. Recently Patti completed "Double Standards", a collection of new songs. It is the culmination of the melodic pop rock associated with "1&9", and the psychedelic explorations and Queen-like harmonies of the "Candelabra" era. The combination is doubly delicious. The title track is an exploration of the concept of good vs. evil wherein " ...the devil loves a double standard and heaven isn't selling cheap..." The album is split down the middle between hard rock and heartfelt acoustic songs. What brings it all together is Patti's melodic sensibility and unique lyrical perceptions. Had this been the age of vinyl, the harder songs might all go on one side, the softer on the other. Both are unmistakably Patti and equally true to her musical leanings. Patti is currently looking forward to touring in support "Double Standards" which was released in May of 2008.
www.pattirothberg.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Tub Ring air date: Saturday December 6, 2008
Tub Ring's Mission Statement
When you ask someone what type of music that person listens to, the answer is most often, "I listen to everything". You then go over to their apartment or peruse their IPOD to find a bland collection that deviates little from a single genre. When you ask a band what type of music they play, you invariably get a confused look and an awkward reply along the lines of, "Well... it's really hard to describe". Of course, then you hear them and you giggle at how untrue that sentence was. Tub Ring may actually have a legitimate reason to say both, but won't. Tub Ring is a tornado of genres mixing punk, classical, surf, a-capella, hard-core, pop, and whatever else crosses their path into one cohesive blend of rock.
Forging this sound in 2001, Tub Ring has been a force of nature in the left-of-center world of music, building momentum and inertia with every day that passes. The band's first album of avant-garde pop, Drake Equation, was produced by Mr. Bungle's Trey Spruance. Since, Tub Ring has released a total of 3 albums and a DVD/B-Side double pack. With each album charting into double digits on the CMJ Top 200, Tub Ring's music has also been featured on Fox Sports, Xbox 360's "Amp Snow Boarder 3", various MTV/MTV2 programs, Spike and Mike's Twisted Animation films, and several Mt. Dew commercials. Most recently, Tub Ring played live in the TRL room on MTV2, and was featured in the MTV reality based contest show "Dew Circuit Breakout". Tub Ring has created an enormous underground market with their bizarre genre of spazzed pop rock, with no financial help, no manager, NOTHING... except hard work, non-stop touring, and inventive song writing with intellegent lyrics. Clocking in at over 150 shows per year from 2001 to 2006 thoughout North America, Europe and Japan, there are few bands that can match Tub Ring's determination and commitment to music. Touring partners include Mindless Self Indulgence, The Fully Down, Estradasphere, The Girly Freak Show, Kill Hannah, Wesley Willis, Dog Fashion Disco, Look What I Did, and many more. www.tubring.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Mike Pek air date: Wednesday December 3, 2008
Mike Pek is an independent singer-songwriter and musician who has been performing regularly at various NJ venues since 2002, including The Brighton Bar (Long Branch), The Saint (Asbury Park), and Luna Stage (Montclair), and Two Rivers Theater (Red Bank). Opening for NJ rock veteran Pat DiNizio of the Smithereens, Pek performed as part of the Songwriters in the Park series in Red Bank in June 2006. Mike has enjoyed some airplay on 90.5 The Night (WBJB, Lincroft) and on several internet radio stations. In 2006, he made his first television appearance on TV30’s Café Improv (Princeton). He also had the honor of performing at the closing ceremonies of the Family Assistance Center for 9/11 victims in Jersey City – delivering a rendition of his song “AC/DC in Heaven,” a personal tribute to a close friend and former band member, Wayne Russo, lost in the 9/11 disaster. Lyrics to this song have since been published in Sounds of Silence: Remembering the Heroes, Victims & Survivors of September 11, 2001. In November 2005, Mike released his second full-length CD, 'Second Thoughts,' which was included in Upstage Magazine’s top 100 albums of the year for 2005. Much of Mike’s time is spent on Ghost Town Trilogy, a band formed in 2006.
www.mikepek.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Nerve Tonic air date: Wednesday November 19, 2008
Nerve Tonic blends the rock-n-roll and rockabilly of the 1950s with punk rock from its 1977 heyday. We have torn our way out of the guts of NJ to carryout but one mission: to make no-nonsense rock-n-roll...original, honest, and properly dangerous.
ANCIENT HISTORY Nerve tonic is a group of friends who have known each other since high school. At that time (the 1980s) we were playing in hardcore punk bands (e.g., Subliminal Slaughter, Apathy, Radon-NJ, Draino). After the hip-hop/technical metal explosion and subsequent rise of "grunge" we each found ourselves without a viable band. In the mid-1990s we finally decided to get together and form our own band. At that time we were mixing 1950s rock and roll with the punk rock and metallic rock of the 1970s and early 80s. We were basically a regional band, and for over a decade we lived by the war cry, "F-U-N-C-H, burnout, smoke trail: RATS ARE WE!" We played all around the NJ area, including bars such as Connections, Maxwells, The Court Tavern, The Loop Lounge, L'Amour, The Saint, The Ramapo Valley Brew Pub, Dingbatz, and others. We played with all kinds of bands including Electric Frankenstein, The Ergs, Headwound, The Hudson Falcons, Mental Abuse, TR6, Dale Watson, The Wretched Ones, and others. RECENT HISTORY After 13 years, 7 drummers (5 full-time and 2 part-time replacements), and an almost completely blown-out vocalist, we decided that it was time to face reality and tweak our style so that we could ensure our continued survival as a band. We knew it was time to stop killing drummers and stop killing Dr. Void's throat. A new, more "son of a bitch" type sound was imperative. This realization was the birth of Nerve Tonic, the name of our first CD release back in 1997. A couple of months before calling it quits, we put together a country version of Venom's "Witching Hour" for an acoustic gig in Hoboken. Pleased with our venomous hillbilly creation, we began jamming on stuff that was more Johnny Cash inspired in The Lady Killer's basement. Our new sound naturally emerged with the addition of Señor El Füher on drums. With a shot of Wild Turkey, we said goodbye to the past. With a chaser of Johnny Walker, we said that only Nerve Tonic matters now. For the record, the Füher liked the scotch better, but we have not held it against him...he's Scottish.... Hey, only Nerve Tonic matters now. Dig it. Dr. Void (Vox, Washboard) Hot Tony the Lady Killer (Guitar) Evan the Destroyer (Bass) Evil Jim (Lead Guitar, Ice Pick) Señor El Führer (Drums) www.nerve-tonic.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Joshua Van Ness air date: Wednesday November 12, 2008
"My music is "soul rock". I have been influenced by a lot of classic rock of the 60s & 70s and the alternative rock that ruled the airwaves during my early teens. Those influences have been balanced out by my love for soulful singers such as Prince, Dug Pinick, Chris Robinson, Van Hunt and others." - Joshua Van Ness
www.purevolume.com/joshuavanness Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Bobby Steele (The Undead) air date: Thursday August 28th, 2008
BOBBY STEELE has been the driving force of the NYC punk/underground scene since the 1970's. Steele was the guitarist for the legendary horror punks THE MISFITS from 1978 to 1980. He appeared on the band's classic Horror Business and Night of the Living Dead EPs, and is credited as the driving force behind the band's most popular songs. After leaving THE MISFITS in 1980, Steele formed THE UNDEAD, one of the best-selling independent acts in music history. The group's debut live performance at the now-legendary A7 Club in January 1981 is credited for spawning the New York Hardcore (NYHC) music scene, as well as spearheading the now-famous East Village art/music scene. Since 1982, STEELE/THE UNDEAD has sold over 100,000 albums worldwide and has been featured in numerous music books and documentaries, including American Hardcore and the band contributed music to the cult classic film Welcome To The Dollhouse. In addition to his work in THE UNDEAD, Steele has appeared in numerous films and television shows and is an outspoken public advocate for marijuana law reform.
www.undeadpunk.com Listen to the interview & in-studio performance |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Particle Zoo air date: Wednesday August 27th, 2008 (in-studio guest)
Particle Zoo are a rock band from Rockaway, NJ
www.pzoo.com Listen to the interview & in-studio performance |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Alter Ego air date: Wednesday August 20th, 2008 (in-studio guest)
1+1+1=4? Well maybe not for mathematics, but for musical artists many times the end result is greater than the sum of the individual parts. Building on the principle of "less is more", Alter Ego is a New Jersey based indie band that derives great strength from the interplay of its three members.
Nick Ferriero (lead vocals), Gregg Fox (lead guitar/backing vocals), and Bill Bartels (rhythm guitar) are a stripped down acoustic rock machine feeding on diverse musical backgrounds and visceral life experience to produce "straight from the heart" rock and roll. If you are a fan of intimate acoustic rock with an edge… then we invite you to experience Alter Ego! www.myspace.com/07alterego Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Eric Zala (director of Raiders Of The Lost Ark: The Adaptation) air date: Monday August 11th, 2008
Two Mississippi kids spent years in the 1980s making a shot-for-shot remake of "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
Click here to watch the first 10 minutes of the film Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Anthony Fiumano air date: Wednesday July 30th, 2008
Listening to Anthony Fiumano brings back memories of this past summer and my trip to Woodstock, New York. My introduction to Dylan's famed "pink house" still reverberating echoes of those famed basement tapes recorded right there with The Band so long, long ago. Simple acoustic arrangements and harmonica drenched stories, traditional and lean in their making, and so huge in their magical contributions to the music we listen to today.
Fiumano is a songwriter from that same time-honored tradition. He has been compared to Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Jeff Tweedy and other individuals that focus on the homespun song. Relying on his acoustic guitar and harmonica, there is no backing band for what he does. Basic and up-front, Fiumano delivers folk-styled blues, country, R&B, and other iconic American music forms in a way that only deep personal study can provide. His voice is distinct. Although he does remind me of a young James Taylor at times, his style is ultimately his own and at the age of 21 he has already started his journey of becoming one of New Jersey's most talented solo artists around. Anthony is currently working on his first solo album, which is due out sometime in 2007. I listened to his most recent selection of tunes and was impressed with the depth and stark soundscapes on such excellent songs as "Darlene," with its quiet but urgent James Taylor vibe, and the Neil Young backwoods smoke on "The Year of the Flood." There's the Dylan-esque wails of "Born To Crawl," and the outstanding "Lucky Numbers" with dripping strains of Wilco's Jeff Tweedy. This is a player to watch. Quiet and composed, he does his thing with contemporary style and an eye on the past masters. One of a handful that carries on in the traditional mode of folk and blues, he is poised to take that genre to his own gritty level. Anthony Fiumano has been nominated for an award at the upcoming Asbury Music Awards on Nov. 11. Show up and support him. For further information on upcoming shows and his new record, check him out at anthonyfiumano.com -Jon Pfieffer www.anthonyfiumano.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The Break Evens air date: Thursday July 17th, 2008 (in-stduio guest)
We used to be in other bands.
We're now in this one. We like it better, anyways. http://www.myspace.com/thebreakevens |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Shift air date: Wednesday June 11th, 2008
SHIFT is a music & visual media project by artist Paul Tardo specializing in socially conscious pop music and imagery. SHIFT performs original electronic rock, pop and alternative music as part of a live multi-media stage show. The visuals and performances encourage the audience to examine the current world view and consider possibilities for positive change.
The music of Shift is a true product of the digital age. Working from a small studio in his rural home (which he affectionately calls Kismet Ranch) way up in the Sierra Mountains of Northern California, Paul lays down vocals and instrumental concepts. He then beams the digital files via a satellite internet uplink to his producer Orpheos Dejournette in the San Francisco Bay area. Captivating and sometimes haunting melodies, odd time signatures and a breathtaking electro-synth production style are then meticulously crafted into an infectious soundscape. http://www.shiftpages.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Kenyata Sullivan air date: Wednesday May 21st, 2008 & Thursday May 22nd, 2008
WE Fest is a multi-day, totally DIY, volunteer-run extravaganza that always takes place during the week of Memorial Day Weekend. The first WE Fest was held in 1996 and since then, indie bands of all shapes, sizes, colors, and sounds have played this Fest, made friends, and gone home to network, share gigs, keep in touch, and make WE Fest part of their lives. Past participants have included The Dismemberment Plan, Lamb of God, Discount (Alison Mosshart before The Kills), Mae, Ernie Brooks, The Mooney Suzuki, xbxrx, Colin Gimore, The Damn Personals (Anthony Rossomando before The Libertines and Dirty Pretty Things), Frank Moore, Cory Branan, Mike Errico, Three Cornered Season (who became Asobi Seksu), Val Emmich, Dufus, Pattern Is Movement, ASG, The Negatones, Tris McCall, Tom House, Tracy Shedd, The Mountain Brothers, and many, many more.
http://www.wefestival.com |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Spiraling air date: Wednesday May 14th, 2008
Spiraling first hooked fans and critics with its masterful debut Transmitter, then with its spirited follow-up, Challenging Stage. On the strength of these recordings, as well as a live show that is at once airtight and explosive, the New Jersey natives forged a reputation for uncommon musical sophistication. But it is on its forthcoming release, Time Travel Made Easy, that Spiraling makes its most coherent and compelling statement to date.
If there were any band that could make time travel look easy, it would have to be Spiraling. There's always been something about the band's trademark interplay of synthesizers, powerful guitars, and piano-driven rock that goes deeper than mere nostalgia. Listening to Time Travel Made Easy, with its panorama of sonic landscapes, you almost get a sense that Spiraling actually has perfected some method of time travel, one that has allowed it to go back to a time when New Wave was actually new, before "prog" became a four-letter word, and when "alternative" was more than just a facile marketing cliché. While evoking the best of music's past, Spiraling is undoubtedly a band with a strong vision for its future. Whatever method of time travel they've devised, it definitely works in both directions, and they've used it to skip ahead and check out what the kids of the next generation will have on their iPods, or whatever they'll be using in the days to come. However you classify it, the style of rock music they've brought back with them is powerfully moving and altogether original. On the album's opening track, songwriter and frontman Tom Brislin laments that "this is not the future we were promised". That may be, but the remaining tracks on this inspired record are proof that, though the immediate future might not bring us jet packs or flying cars, it will still have room enough for passion, hope, redemption, beauty, and love. And great music. http://www.spiraling.net |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Logs In The Mainstream air date: Monday April 23rd, 2008 (in-studio guest)
If eccentric was a style of rock, Logs in the Mainstream would be its core. Logs in the Mainstream combines rock, punk, funk, world beat, pop, Latin, country and a little of every genre, then spits it back as something all its own. Always lyrically insightful, a typical Logs theme is self reflective and social conscience from the inside out. Throw in heaps of humor and danceable grooves for girls with one leg shorter than the other and you have music known as Logs style. Logs has amassed a large and dedicated cult following online and in the Northeast area, sharing the stage with Cake, M. Doughty, Alice Donut and Colin Hay.
Logs In The Mainstream is: Mole: Vocals,Guitar Bob: Bass, Bagpipes Frank: Elements, Percussion, Didgeridoo, Theremin, Production, Backing Vocals Eric Amadeo: Drums, Percussion In 1990, Mole formed Logs In The Mainstream on a foundation of humor, intensity and insight: punk roots with a world-beat expression. Several self-released demos gave Logs a solid reputation for writing fun, quirky pop songs. In 1996, Logs formed independent record label Corporate Greed Conglomerate Music Division and released the first of their three full-length albums. The first, "I Know I Am, But What Are You?" continued the demo lineup, featuring a full band with Mole on acoustic guitar. This album also featured some of Mole's unique mouth-noise style. By 1999, the band was left without a drummer and decided to release a collection of songs to introduce the bands new direction. "Acaustic" was not only the albums title but it represented the style of music Logs played, with Mole seek and destroy acoustic guitar style. With no drummer and now down to two band members Logs went into the studio and recorded the concept album "The Self, The Shelf and The Store." The acaustic sound was fully realized and Logs released their masterpiece in 2001. During this time, Mole acquired what is now known as the "Original Burger King Head". Bought at a yard sale, the Burger King Head was adopted as the band’s drummer and soccer ball for the audience during some special shows. This was before the Burger King began showing up in other people’s beds offering a burger on a silver platter. The Burger King Head has since retired from Logs though on occasion he makes special appearances. Currently, Logs are back in the studio with another line - up and a slightly different sound. With the addition of long time producer Frank Certo on percussion and elements and Eric Amadeo on Drums to the duo of Bob Dorn on Bass and Bagpipes and Mole on Vocals and Guitar, Logs has made the transition from it's Acaustic sound to a full out rock spectacle. Yes, it is true: Mole “goes electric”. Shocking, as that may or may not be the new Logs is Bigger, Better, Faster, Louder and more Rockin' than ever. Ready to save your soul one at a time if necessary and bring peace and harmony to the entire world and/or the entire universe. http://www.logsinthemainstream.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Echofission air date: Monday April 7th, 2008 (in-studio guest)
Echofission is a rock band from Bergen County, New Jersey. Its sound derives from diverse rock influences spanning multiple genres and time. They paid attention to the records they loved and they take elements that turned them on, modernize them, and make them into a brand new musical expression. They take their collective life experiences and play.
"The Straights" is the name of their new album independently released by the band in 2008. The Band = Jon (drums), Mike (bass/vocals), Rango (guitar/vocals), Geb (vocals/guitar). This, (along with every other EF album) was engineered by Mod, guitarist for popular NYC natives Elefant. It features thirteen new tracks and if you listen closely there is a distinctive lightness and darkness to the album’s flow. Now, the band is in rehearsal sessions for live performances featuring The Straights tracks and material from all its other albums. Echofission has five years stage experience and really puts on an energetic and sonic show that connects with its audience. Since 2002, echo fans have enjoyed listening to the band’s other three albums and going to the shows. They are really grateful for people lending their time and giving their money. So, Echofission has decided to put its best foot forward with "The Straights". What are ’the straights’? Straight members were victims of the war on drugs in the USA. Corrupt and backward rehabilitation facilities lied to its patients, their families, and the public when they said they were going to make kids healthy. Instead, institutions like Kids of Bergen County abused its patients and created deep psychological, emotional and sometimes physical scars. Echofission wants to raise awareness about this issue and "The Straights" is their way of conveying that message. Echofission also made its film soundtrack debut on "Over The GW" by Nick Gaglia, with its song "Kids". The film is about what is described in the previous paragraph. The film debuted at The Slamdance Film Festival in 2007. The film was released in NYC June 27, 2007 and is now playing in US and Canadian cities. Visit www.overthegw.com. http://www.echofission.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Brian Vander Ark air date: Wednesday March 12th, 2008
Massive success and its aftermath have sent many artists into oblivion, forever trying to recapture the moment when the world first bowed at their feet. That moment came for Brian Vander Ark when, as the lead singer and principal songwriter for The Verve Pipe, he sold more than 3 million albums worldwide and produced a string of hit singles, including the #1 song 'The Freshmen.'
More than just the frontman, Vander Ark was its literal and figurative voice, providing the creative spark and writing songs that gave the band its devoted following. Although the songs were cast in the style of the era, they remain singular and special. His gift is one of tremendous storytelling clarity expressed through melodies and rhythms that are unique, riveting, intensely personal and entirely gripping. Rather than blindly attempt to reclaim a throne that was fleeting at best, the Michigan native struck out on his own, sold all his possessions, hit the road and released his acclaimed debut solo CD, Resurrection, in 2005. This inspired collection of original songs recalls an era when artists were not afraid to express their hearts direction and soul's design. Vander Ark continues that commitment with the release of his latest solo CD, Angel, Put Your Face On. Both earnest and reflective, this music once again takes an intimate look at life while exploring themes of family, love and loss. His journey has resulted in a lyrical, engrossing collection of songs wrought from an experience that many have dreamed of but few have faced. On the way, Brian rediscovered his love for performing and now revels in a freedom that few can claim as he travels the road playing his songs and connecting with audiences. http://www.brianvanderark.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Vicky Emerson air date: Wednesday February 27th, 2008
My name is Vicky Emerson and thank you for stopping by my page. All of the music is free for you to download and I hope you will take the tunes with you. I write and sing my own songs and feel very fortunate to make my living playing music on my keyboard and guitar. My piano lessons began at age 6 and my guitar playing began at age 26, so I guess you could say I’m a bit more advanced on the keys. I grew up in rural Wisconsin in a small town that has proclaimed themselves as the “UFO Capital of the World.” Weird, I know. Then, I attended a small college in Wisconsin for music, which was fun and I learned so much about music and music composition. However, I never really lived in a large city until now. Currently, I live in Manhattan, which was a pretty extreme change for a small town girl. I have lived here a full year and I have never found a place that is so full of wonder as this city. I play regularly at the Living Room and Kenny’s Castaways with Daniel Marcus, who is a very talented multi-instrumentalist. My albums were recorded with some amazing musicians from Minneapolis and my most recent release is self-titled because each song blossomed from a deeply personal experience. I would categorize my style of music as Americana--a blending of folk, blues and a little touch of country. I am proud to be an independent musician and I hope you enjoy my music. Thanks for listening.
http://www.vickyemerson.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Anton Sword air date: Thursday February 21st, 2008
One day when he was a child in New York City Anton put his ear against a speaker in a dark apartment on the west side and went into a trance. He had a long dream. When he woke up twenty years later his heart was permanently broken, but in a good way. Trying to make a movie out of the turbulence in his mind, he found himself writing songs instead, songs some have described as sounding like Bryan Ferry, some as sounding like John Lennon, and some as sounding like a session of great sex during psychoanalysis.
His first CD, A Sentimental Education, has been described by listeners in the US and Europe as Lush, Dreamy, Mesmerizing, Groovy, Catchy, and Gorgeous. Sometimes Anton takes himself a little too seriously, but his melodies are often beautiful, his lyrics often interesting, and his beats cool, so forgive him. Girls are usually more enamored of his tunes than boys, but the boys are slowly being won over. Anton is currently assembling a real and imaginary band. Real members adding to Anton's keyboard and voice currently are Jessica Hallman on cello, Kristofer Widholm (Morex Optimo) on guitar, and Joanna Choy (Tall Pines, Tragedy) on second vocal. http://www.antonsword.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Mazeffect air date: Wednesday February 20th, 2008 (in-studio guest)
Mazeffect (pronounced "MAZE-EFFECT") are Jay, Mel, and Gobo.
From Incessant Drip Records: "We're pretty much shamefully excited for some releases we have planned for the coming months, and if you'd heard them, you would be too. First off, is the amazing band MAZEFFECT from Erg-country in South Amboy, New Jersey, USA, and their outstanding new full-length album, "Horseshoes & Hand Grenades". This record comprises everything we've ever wanted this label to stand for: Smart, strange, catchy pop from some other place and time, bittersweet and blissful at the same time (and not nearly as pretentious as this wordy write up might have you think). Think early Smithereens meets "Candy Apple Gray" Husker Du meets "Don't Tell A Soul" Replacements meets Uncle Tupelo-ish dreamy alt-country, all filtered through the wide-eyed lens of punk rock youth exuberence. This is going to be making a lot of top ten lists, mark our words. This'll be out as soon as we get the artwork hashed out with the band. Watch for it!" http://www.myspace.com/mazeffect Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Eugene DeRobertis, Ph.D. author of The Loser Magnet Handbook air date: Thursday February 14th, 2008 (in-studio guest)
Do you find yourself constantly giving dating advice to no avail? If you get frustrated and angry with friends or family members because they just cannot seem to make a relationship work, then this book may be of value to you. Are you "romantically challenged"? Have you had so many bad relationships that you are at your wits end? Then this book will definitely be of value to you. The Loser Magnet Handbook
is all about the traps that keep us "romantically challenged". The key to positive change is knowledge, and this book provides the reader with an understanding of some of the most common traps in the dating world. Concrete suggestions are made for breaking unhealthy dating patterns. This book has the power to change your life forever, because once you can identify the ways you have trapped yourself into a dysfunctional style of dating, you are then in the best position possible to change for the better. This text is essential to all those with dating woes. You do not have to select dating partners in a knee-jerk fashion anymore. The Loser Magnet Handbook gives readers the means for choosing partners in a sane, smart, and fulfilling manner.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780595487127&itm=1 Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Fiskum air date: Wednesday January 30th, 2008
Fiskum is a music artist from Minneapolis. His creed is simple: he writes songs for people who can’t write songs for themselves. He writes songs about ordinary people who overcome difficulty through fearlessness and perseverance.
Fiskum has his own story about perseverance. He played keyboards for numerous rock bands. He attended New England Conservatory and earned a Master’s degree in music. He performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Las Vegas Hilton, and the Love Boat. While in Boston, his band had significant radio play. Fiskum honed his skills as a song writer, traveling to Nashville to pitch songs to publishers and country artists. Fiskum then spent several years away from the music business. He had developed tendon problems that made his fingers stiff and numb during performance. While surgery was an option, it posed risks that Fiskum was unwilling to accept. He stuffed his hand-written song manuscripts into an over sized shoe box, put them on the shelf, and got a day job. About nine years later, Fiskum realized that he wasn’t playing anyway and that he might as well try the surgery. He visited several surgeons, all of whom said the operation posed risks. He then visited a prominent Midwest sports surgeon who said “I can fix it.” Fiskum had operations on his left hand and his right elbow. He healed and regained his performance ability through the practice of Chi Gung, an ancient Chinese method for restoring and maintaining health by consciously directing the flow of chi, or internal energy, in the body. Fiskum had a chance encounter with Simon Husbands, a record producer from Nottingham, England. Simon had been producer and keyboard player for Blue Train, a British dance/rock band that scored high on Billboard charts in the 90s. Simon was also drummer and producer for Galactic Symposium, a British punk band with a record that found its way onto John Peel’s top 100 of all time playlist. Since John Peel was the BBC’s most respected disk jockey and musical authority, this was an accomplishment. When Fiskum met Husbands, he got out his shoe box full of songs. He played a few demos. Husbands said “People need to hear this.” Fiskum and Husbands realized that they shared a common goal--to make an organic modern rock CD that combined significant lyrics and song writing with outstanding musicianship. To accomplish this, they recruited musicians internationally, collaborating with musicians from Sweden, Wales, Germany, England, Fargo, and Los Angeles. Eighteen months later Darkness / Fire / Dancing is released. Half of the songs came out of Fiskum’s shoe box. Half were written by Fiskum specifically for the CD. All of the songs are meaningful to many different kinds of people. Fiskum says “As long as you stay in the fight you are undefeated.” Darkness / Fire / Dancing is music for the dance - the dance of the undefeated. www.fiskum.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Blank Pages air date: Friday January 25th, 2008
From somewhere amid the suburban sprawl of southern New Jersey comes Blank Pages’ unique brand of guitar-driven power pop. They have been performing their unique brand of rock and roll for more then ten years and have released several independent albums and 7 inch singles.
Their label debut, "Funny Pages" gained a nation-wide audience with the help of Face Down Records and positive reviews from power pop critics around the country. Released in 2003, their sophomore effort, "45 & 33," offered even more snappy hooks and irresistible melodies than their debut. Their latest release, On My Street, continues the band’s tradition of churning out pop hooks that get into your head and won’t come out. The band has appeared on all of the FDR Label's compilation CDs, including their latest installment, About a Girl. The CD features indie-pop bands covering songs with girls' names in the titles. Their influences include Badfinger, Beach Boys, Beatles, Big Star, Byrds, Cheap Trick, Elvis Costello, Electric Light Orchestra, Jason Falkner, Jellyfish, Kinks, Knack, Paul McCartney and Wings, Matthew Sweet, Monkees, Pearlfishers, Police, Raspberries, Sloan, Superdrag, Velvet Crush, XTC, and the Who. www.blankpagespop.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Tommy Strazza air date: Wednesday January 23rd, 2008
Here is a quote from one of Tommy Strazza's biggest fans, and is by no means biased by their friendship to him or by the fact that they are in actuality writing the very same bio you are about to read:
When Tommy straps on his guitar, whether its in a dusty, drunken New Brunswick apartment, or on stage at the world famous Stone Pony, he becomes a completely different person altogether. Its the kind of person we dont get to hear from too often these days the kind of person looking to take us somewhere special and its somewhere each and every one of us will never want to leave. Tommy Strazza was born to play rock and roll music. And thats not a quote; its a fact. One of the east coasts best kept secrets, Tommy grew up in the quiet suburban town of East Brunswick, New Jersey and has been flapping his musical wings across the country since the early 90s, spreading his rock n roll gospels for all to hear, performing both solo, and currently with his band Tommy Strazza & The Model Citizens. The live show is church to me, explains Tommy. Some bands and artists take you to school I want to take you to church baptize you in all that is good, pure, and sacred about rock and roll music and everyone is welcome. If the live show is church, then the albums and songs are the scriptures from which I, and the band refer to they have to tell a story, and serve a purpose not just be a collection of songs on a record. They have to be related to one another, and co-exist for the same cause. Since many of the bands Tommy has played in have had rotating roster issues, and in order not to lose momentum, Tommy took the liberty to learn how to play several instruments. In addition to writing and producing all of his own songs, he performs some of them entirely on his own, as well. He started his first solo project, Crawl, in 1999. His self-titled second release was kicked off with a highly acclaimed performance at Asbury Park's Stone Pony on September 22, 2002. "That was one hell of a show I'm glad to have been a part of Tommy Strazza's world for an hour." - Tris McCall, Jersey Beat Magazine. Currently on his third solo album, and playing all over the east coast, both solo, and with his band, Tommy continues to leave an impression on the growing New Jersey rock scene. "I want to be an inspiration, a risk taker and an envelope pusher I want to excite people about music, the way that it grabbed me as a kid." Time to get excited folks, because Tommy Strazza has arrived!!! NEW ALBUM AVAILABLE NOW!!! Tommy's song "Detour" has been nominated for Song Of The Year at the 2007 Asbury Music Awards!!! www.tommystrazza.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Queensryche air date: Monday January 14th, 2008
GEOFF TATE - Lead Vocals
SCOTT ROCKENFIELD - Drums MICHAEL WILTON - Guitars EDDIE JACKSON - Bass MIKE STONE - Guitars If you listened to rock radio in the mid-to-late 80's, chances are a week didn't go by that you weren't smacked between the ears by a wall of sound generated by a musical quintet called Queensryche. Combining distinctive vocals, crunching guitars and a heart-pounding rhythm section, you were tempted to turn it up to a level just below the point of blowing out your speakers and perhaps your eardrums. It was powerful, dramatic, progressive, diverse and electrifying. It was definitive Queensryche. The musical journey began in 1981 when a few friends hailing from the suburbs of Bellevue, Washington -- Geoff Tate, Michael Wilton, Scott Rockenfield, Eddie Jackson and Chris DeGarmo -- got together and formed a pivotal rock band. Although in their late teens and early twenties, all five were veterans of local rock outlets, primarily heavy metal cover bands. Michael Wilton and Scott Rockenfield were members of a band called Cross+Fire that eventually added Eddie Jackson and Chris DeGarmo to the line-up. Now calling themselves The Mob, the four talented musicians needed a front man like no other and set their eyes and ears on the enigmatic Tate, who was fronting another outfit called Babylon. Regardless of his commitment to another band, the four invited Tate to join them at a local rock festival... a few subsequent performances with The Mob would result from that initial collaboration but Geoff wasn't entirely convinced it was the musical path he ultimately wanted to take... However, it wouldn't be long before The Mob would gather some cash to record a four song demo that contained the songs, "Queen of the Reich," "Nightrider," "Blinded" and "The Lady Wore Black."... without a doubt, they were convinced Tate was their singer. All five musicians had a common bond. They were looking for something bigger and something better in a band... the answer would turn out to be Queensryche. The four-song demo quickly found its way overseas and took Europe by storm... the music media stood up and took notice with rave reviews. Thrilled with the response, the band decided to put out their debut EP, Queen of the Ryche, on their own label, 206 Records (a number paying homage to their hometown area code). It wasn't long before 60,000 units were sold, generating the attention it deserved from several different labels resulting in an all-out bidding war between no less than seven majors. When the dust had settled, EMI America got the nod and reissued the EP as Queensryche, adding only one track to the brilliantly self-produced original recordings. Shortly after its release, the self-titled debut EP would find itself in the Top 100 on the Billboard charts with Queensryche soon hitting the road for their first national tour alongside Dio and Twisted Sister. At the end of 1984, the band would release their full-length debut effort, The Warning, which would represent the efforts of being in a London recording studio for the better part of the year with legendary producer James Guthrie (Pink Floyd's The Wall) and legendary film soundtrack composer Michael Kamen. The release immediately cut to the chase with a title track considered by many to be a true rock angst anthem. The album, itself, would reach #61 on the Billboard charts and a world tour with KISS and Bon Jovi would propel The Warning to gold status, marking the first to do so for the band. In September of 1986, Rage for Order, would be released with producer Neil Kernon at the helm. Another musical creation of something uniquely Queensryche, Rage for Order would climb to the #47 position on the charts and also go "gold." Another US trek would result, this time along with Metallica. By early May of 1988, Queensryche would be moving full speed ahead with a sizable and devout fan base. Becoming increasingly popular with every album and tour, they would release the groundbreaking concept album, Operation: Mindcrime. Produced by Peter Collins (who would seemingly have the magic touch with band), the release would put Queensryche on the map. An album chockfull of great songs including the popular "Eyes of a Stranger," it would quickly achieve platinum status, garnering worldwide acclaim and a Grammy nomination for the band. Massively successful, Operation: Mindcrime would stay on the charts for over a year and eventually sell over a million units. It would be the band's first album to do so and would go on to be a cult classic of sorts... Even greater success was to follow with the September, 1990 release of Empire. Despite the momentum of their progressive hard rock past, Queensryche further showcased their tremendous talents with an album that included ballads and orchestrations. Produced once again by Peter Collins, the release rockets to the Top Ten in the charts in less than a month. Somewhat less conceptual than previous releases, Empire contained several songs that became staples for rock radio in the early 90's, increasing the band's legion of fans. Although the title track would be the first single released, it would be the band's first rock ballad, "Silent Lucidity," that would further thrust them into the rock limelight. By the summer of '91, the song would become an MTV favorite, assisting it to become the Ryche's first Top Ten single. Later that year, the band would perform the song at the MTV Video Music Awards and pick up the coveted Viewer's Choice Award. The rock anthem "Jet City Woman" and "Another Rainy Night (Without You)" also became massive hit singles from the album, which would remain on the charts for more than two consecutive years and exceed sales of three million. The band's diversity was glaringly apparent on Empire, and the transition into the 90's was seemingly achieved without much difficulty. Preceding the likes of their Northwest friends -- Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains -- it was obvious that Seattle had more to offer than the grunge rock phenomenon to come as many consider Queensryche to be the original "Seattle sound." Queensryche were now drawing capacity crowds throughout North and South America, Japan and Europe and beginning in August, they would embark on the Monsters of Rock Tour with Motley Crue and Metallica. In the fall of 1991, Queensryche released Operation: livecrime, a live video and CD set commemorating the enormously popular "Mindcrime" tour, which had translated the album concept into a theatrical performance which fans in attendance will never forget. After years of constant recording and touring, the band took a break from it all before reentering the studio in early '94 to begin work on their sixth album, Promised Land. Produced by James Barton, the album would spawn three hit singles -- "I Am I," "Bridge," and "Disconnected" -- and would debut at #3 in the Billboard charts. Within two months of its release, it would sell a million units and further exemplify the immense popularity of the band. Again, the band take to the road for an extensive world tour supporting the disc. Hot on the heels of the successful album, the band's longtime label, EMI Records, would release a two-disc multi-media CD-Rom set of Promised Land - An Interactive Adventure in 1995, the first such venture for the major label. The CD-Rom gave fans unique access into the minds of Queensryche, while exploring cause and effect in a number of different ecological and moral situations. Queensryche will always be first and foremost a rock band, but will continue to prod the intellect of its listeners, inviting them to think should they care to do so... but thinking no less of them if the music itself is all they care about. After a short hiatus, the band would come back strong in March of '97 with a stripped-down effort produced by Peter Collins titled Hear In The Now Frontier. Just as the album was gaining momentum, EMI Records made the announcement that it shutter its doors and be no longer. Unfortunate for both parties involved as they had shared success together for more than a dozen years. The band's promotion for the project -- including an anticipated year-long tour -- came to a screeching halt. Following the demise of EMI Records, the band signed with Atlantic Records and put out Q2K -- the first album to feature new guitarist Kelly Gray -- in 1999. Despite the fact that it was recorded without longtime guitarist Chris DeGarmo and in a time of definite uncertainty, the band delivered yet another strong collection of songs including the rock radio hit, "Breakdown" along with fan favorites, "Liquid Sky," "Sacred Ground," "Falling Down" and "The Right Side of My Mind." Realizing its full potential, Rhino Records would go on to re-master and expand the Q2K effort (August 2006), adding three previously unreleased songs. Over the next few years, Queensryche would release Live Evolution (2001), Tribe (2003) and The Art of Live (2004). All via Sanctuary Records, the latter release would be the first to feature the stellar guitar playing of Mike Stone, who would become an integral part of the line-up from that point on... In 2005, the band would hole themselves up in a studio and return to their roots, recording a new monumental effort titled, Operation: mindcrime II. Further proving they were a band without musical limitation, Operation: mindcrime II would be the long-awaited sequel to the band's immensely successful Operation: Mindcrime release. Released in April 2006 on Rhino Records, Operation: mindcrime II featured such songs as "I'm American," "The Hands," "The Chase," "All The Promises," "Murderer?" and a dozen others that would put closure to the unsolved saga between Nikki, Mary and the sinister Dr. X. The project propelled the band back to the forefront, debuting at #14 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, making it their highest debut in over a decade. An extensive tour, presented by VH1 Classic, would begin in August and go through December, taking them to over 50 cities throughout the United States. The epic live show featured a full stage production, including surround sound, video imagery and actors playing out both parts of the Operation: mindcrime saga in their entirety. Ronnie James Dio would make a special appearance playing the part of Dr. X at the show in Los Angeles. The performances received numerous accolades from both fans and critics. Without a doubt, everyone in attendance got their money's worth. During the four month tour, Queensryche took it upon themselves to Rock and Ride Across America for charity. Partnering with Buell Motorcycles, the band offered fans the rare and exciting opportunity to join singer Geoff Tate and guitarist Mike Stone as they rode their ultimately cool custom Buell Ulysses bikes between select tour stops. A sight to be seen, thousands of participants joined the ride into New York City's Times Square, with Tate and Stone fronting the caravan. Donations were taken along the tour and the two custom bikes were eventually auctioned off, raising approximately $80,000 for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. Forward to 2007... Not ones to relax, the band will once again do what they love to do... perform in front of their fans off-and-on throughout the year. Projects on the horizon include a double live CD and double live DVD set of the recent 2006 "Mindcrime" tour -- Mindcrime at the Moore -- slated for June release and a "Best of" CD release via Capitol/EMI in late summer 2007. Now more than two decades after their inception, the band has sold over 20 million albums, numerous hits and consistently tours in over 22 different countries worldwide. In addition, they've been nominated for a Grammy four times and have had their music featured in three feature films. Considered by many music critics to be an innovative music entity, Queensryche has inspired many-a-musician since they began their musical trek together twenty six years ago. Oh yeah... One more thing you should know about Queensryche... they've always remained true to themselves and their music... and that's not going to change any time soon. www.queensryche.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The Crayons air date: Friday January 11th, 2008
The Crayons:
Massachusetts, California, New Jersey, and now Albany, New York, The Crayons take life wherever singer/songwriter/guitarist KC finds a place to crash.
The Crayons first disc was an acoustic EP “236 Astor”, recorded in a garage and released on their own label. Critics and fans were instantly captured and positive reviews started pouring in…
“The disc is moody and introspective, full of melancholy lyrics that would make your eyes well up with tears if they weren’t accompanied by beautiful, upbeat guitar work. It is this odd and stirring combination that gives “236 Astor” its lasting appeal.” – Brandon Lester, The Daily Athenaum KC, wanting more noise, enlisted the musical talent and production skills of The Churchills for his next effort. The result was the well received “What Color Are You?” released under New York indie label Cropduster Records. “The Crayons are an edgy east coast rock band. Their music is a colorful blend of pop hooks, tight harmonies, and plenty of multi-layered guitars. A shade of gray with its fun upbeat vocals and powerful dark lyrics, overall a great combination.” - Kweevak.com Armed with a new lineup, drummer Mike B., bassist Terry, and guitarist Joe, The Crayons just wrapped up working with Ron and Bart of The Churchills on the highly anticipated follow up to “What Color Are You?” Titled "whats wrong with you". The release date was November 9th 2007. Be on the lookout for The Crayons!! We are coming to a town near you!! www.myspace.com/thecrayonpeople Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Kosmic Daydream air date: Thursday January 3rd, 2008 (in-studio guest)
Jen and Adam founded Kosmic Daydream in 2001. Their first several performances were as an acoustic duo. Since those humble beginnings, and with the addition of Jimmi Dylan and Jose Cruz, the band has evolved into an electrically charged musical juggernaut.
The band’s influences are a whirling, swirling, blend of British Blues (think Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, and The Kinks) with punk edginess (The Ramones, Blondie, and The Clash)… all the while carving out their own sound and style. Kosmic Daydream’s debut release, simply titled 'live', delivers a blend of edgy punk rock and swirling psychedelic blues… a veritable aural invasion of grand proportions. www.kosmicdaydream.com Listen to an excerpt of the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Zigman Bird air date: Monday December 3, 2007 (in-studio guests)
The Zigman Bird concept emerged in 2003 with the debut CD from acclaimed Central Jersey singer/songwriter Keith Beck (Chuttering Mums) and lyricist partner, R. Mutz. Drinking from the same fountain that has quenched the thirst of countless Garden State troubadors before them, both Keith and R. Mutz grew up with steady doses of the hippest rock n’ roll radio found on the AM/FM dial.
Their album, "Zigman Bird", is a classic mix of memorable hooks, melodies, and cutting guitars. The diversity of songwriting is evident; everything from rocking songs like “Suzanne’s Alright” to introspective arty tunes like "Veronica’s Dead"can be found on the record. Now with the addition of his newly-christened band Zigman Bird, Keith and company have begun crafting new exciting songs together, each member bringing their respective musical languages to the table. All seasoned musicians, the members that make up Zigman Bird compliment Keith’s style by bringing their own intrinsic sound. Guitarist David Devine (The Number Theory/Spiraling) joined Keith from the band’s outset, and drummer Bill Homeyer (The Dilettantes) joined soon after. Damian Gonzalez (Como Drive/Burning Up White) recently joined in on bass, replacing the band’s good friend Scrappy “Fing” Lambert, who’s killer bass lines and engineering expertise have set the band on the right track. This current incarnation emanates raw energy, pure rock and roll of the highest caliber. But dig a little deeper and there are even richer rewards for the listener. While the hooks and melodies drag you in by retaining the same feelings and vibe of the greats (Beatles, Lou Reed, Television, Iggy Pop, 70’s punk), Zigman Bird offers a unique new vision of their own, creating songs that capture the essence of the human condition and putting it to a beat. Zigman Bird is available to play your bar mitzvah’s and disco dance parties. They also play at the finer rock clubs throughout the tri-state area. Working towards completion of a brand new record called "Balls Marie", Lump’N’Loaf Records is set to release it in early 2008. www.zigmanbird.com Listen to an excerpt of the interview including in-studio performance |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 I/O\I air date: Monday November 26, 2007
I/O\I is an experimentally based pop project with a focused vision of bringing adventurous aspects of music, art, and written prose into one experience. Imagine what would happen if, Peter Gabriel, John Zorn, Air, and Tom Waits got together to jam and write music. It would be an amalgamation of razor-edged beauty mixed with honest, thoughtful originality that transcends known territory. This would also be a befitting description of the sound and intentions of I/O\I.
As the sole member of I/O\I, Stafford Davis has set out to change what the accepted notions of music can be. By combining all of his influences in music, literature, art, and ‘whatever else that strikes him creatively’ into I/O\I - and now a self-released CD - he has assembled a project that is an all encompassing, genuine look at the zeitgeist from multiple angles and levels. He has said, “In creating music, I’ve always found influence in other non-musical forms. Jean Baudrillard and Don Delillo have inspired music in me just as much as anyone; and things like, philosophy, science, and art have done their fair share too.” At a young age, Stafford began his journey into music. Beginning on the guitar and then moving to other instruments, he focused his attention on writing original material at an early age. He has said of the time, “It was important for me to establish, almost immediately, a distinct identity in what I was doing. Even back then, when I first started writing music, I wanted to do something that was new to my ears musically, but still have the impact of the other acts I was listening to at the time.” By junior high and high school, Stafford was playing and gigging in bands; in the process, learning and experiencing the ups and downs of working in diverse, and sometimes uncommunicative atmospheres. “I was being exposed to some really harsh realities. I would come up with songs that, when I played them for other people or band members, they would give me looks like I was from Saturn. After a while, I learned that for the most part, people just wanted to write songs that sounded like their favorite artists, or fit nicely into a particular genre. While there were some exceptions I found in a few really creative people, I was pushed into situations that relied less on other people and more on myself.” Thus, at 18 he had his first professional recording studio experience, and discovered the immense possibilities of the medium. In discovering artists like, Brian Eno and David Torn, that use the studio as an instrument, Stafford saw the opportunity to pursue his ideas in an environment that sonically encouraged diversity and originality. “Experimental arts for me, are the most organic and pure forms of expression I can think of because, there are literally no rules to conform to.” Indeed, I/O\I’s debut CD is loaded with 26 songs’ worth of material that range from experimental, to folk, electronica, jagged rock, spoken word, free-improvisation, and pop flavored melodies. Also in the CD are photos, paintings, and accompanying texts that function as a bridge into the music. He goes on to say, “I have songs, or rather ‘sounds’ on the CD that are field recordings of everyday noises like, cars, sirens, barking dogs, thunderstorms, dryers, and vacuums. I juxtaposed these sounds into the music, and on some tracks, I have a written text that goes along with the audio. In fact the engineer at the mastering studio called the whole CD, ‘a sonic journey’.” And ‘sonic journey’ it is. From the opening piano stomping, industrial sounds of, “Exit 286,” to the chanting chorus of spoken word in, “Footprints From the Day Before,” to the folk-like search for self and meaning in, “Distant,” and finally, the sad lament of a solo piano drenched in reverb that closes the CD in, “The Things People Do To Each Other.” I/O\I is a project that looks for new and exciting ways of making music – now and tomorrow. Through a determined perseverance to not adhere and conform to existing paradigms, Stafford has arrived at I/O\I on his own terms, carving a path that will hopefully bring others into his newfound terrains. With driving honesty and a genuine vision, I/O\I is here now, for everyone that wants something more. www.eyeoeye.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 James Taylor air date: Monday November 5, 2007
It's the end of the century and weirdness is everywhere. Carnival images are used by fast food joints, soft drink companies, basketball players, rock stars--everyone wants to be a freak. Everyone wants everyday to be a SIDESHOW!
James Taylor has been predicting this for a decade! James Taylor is the premier writer on the cutting edge of sideshow, the new vaudeville, the "other entertainment"! James Taylor is the man behind James Taylor's SHOCKED AND AMAZED! On & Off the Midway--the world's only journal devoted solely to the entertainment explosion in the weird, bizarre and unusual! James Taylor is the planet's foremost authority on sideshow. You saw James Taylor and SHOCKED AND AMAZED! on The Learning Channel's "Sideshow: Alive on the Inside," "The Jerry Springer Show," "Public Eye with Bryant Gumbel," and Fox Television's "Fox Files." You read about James Taylor on the front page of the "Wall Street Journal," in "Publisher's Weekly," "New York Press," and "Johns Hopkins Magazine." You heard James Taylor on Mancow Muller's "Morning Madhouse" and NPR's "The Derek McGinty Show." James Taylor knows sideshow and its stunning new wave of entertainers. Sword swallowers, fire eaters, regurgitators, human pin cushions, torture kings, contortionists and motordrome riders look to James Taylor's SHOCKED AND AMAZED! as the definitive source for all things strange and bizarre: All things sideshow. James Taylor's SHOCKED AND AMAZED! views the sideshow tradition through a modern lens. SHOCKED AND AMAZED! features tell-all interviews with performers and showmen who have never been interviewed on the record. SHOCKED AND AMAZED! reports on weirdness as entertainment, features exclusive reprints on sideshow history, and reveals behind-the-scenes photos of sideshow attractions. www.shockedandamazed.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Moving Units air date: Wednesday October 24, 2007
Moving Units was formed in 2001 by Chris Hathwell, Blake Miller, and Johan Boegli as a response to what the band refers to as "an uninspired music scene". The band selected the name Moving Units to express their distaste for the sales-obsessed mentality of the record industry. Thanks to their compelling mixture of post-punk and dance rock and incredible live shows, where singer/guitarist Miller’s frantic performances are tethered to singer/drummer Hathwell’s driving rhythms and the danceable bass lines and self-controlled, aloof stage presence of bassist Johan Boegli, The Moving Units quickly became a band to be reckoned with. Their reputation soon grew and their winning over of the jaded LA music scene earned Moving Units a residency at Spaceland, a hub of underground music. 2002 saw the release of the self-titled Moving Units ep (released on Three One G), which garnered rave reviews.
2003 saw the band chosen to open for Blur and then Hot Hot Heat. The band has also shared the stage with legendary names like The Pixies and Nine Inch Nails, opening for the latter on the first half of NIN’s 2006 tour. October 2004 saw the debut album entitled Dangerous Dreams (released by Palm Pictures). An album nearly two years in the making, Dangerous Dreams was hailed as a stand out in the dance punk scene, invoking references of superiority over everyone from the Rapture, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ladytron and The Faint to Franz Ferdinand. Reviewers referenced a range of influences, from the danceable influence of New Order to sneer of The Minutemen, the artistic sensibilities of Can, Wire, A Certain Scene, the disco-punk flavors of Gang of Four to the melodic sensibilities of The Pixies, all while hailing the uniquely original sound. Described by Nylon magazine as "...a euphorically smutty, joyfully disenfranchised, danceable call to arms," Dangerous Dreams refreshing combination of thumping bass lines and drums, stabbing guitars, catchy lyrics and vocal melodies won over audiences, critics and the dance floors alike. In 2007, Moving Units joined Metropolis Records for the release of their new album Hexes For Exes. From the infectiously catchy guitar lines of “Pink Thoughts”, and the dance electronic synths of “Crash ‘N’ Burn Victims,” “The Kids From Orange County” to the rhythm driven “Paper Hearts” and the Joy Division and New Order influences on “Dark Walls” the album immediately stands out, with foot-tapping hooks making you take notice of the depth of the lyrics. Hexes For Exes is an album that has been crafted for the dance floors and to sing along with. The swagger and sleaze of “Pick Up The Phone” and the grooves of “Nail It To The Cross” were made for moving to. The slower tempo of “Kings and Queens Of Nothing” and “Hearts Departed” with its stripped down vocals and echoing guitar sound are a striking counterpoint to the dance vibes of the album, rounded out perfectly by the bass hooks and playful rhymes of “Blood Beats.” Hexes For Exes breathes new life into dance rock. www.movingunits.net Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The Future Kings Of Nowhere air date: Monday October 22, 2007 (in-studio guests)
Rising from the pre-apocalyptic sludge, the bad boys and girls of The Future Kings of Nowhere bring a mighty roar that cancels out the din of generation Why. Don't be fooled by the acoustic guitars, this is big noise. It's like a Fisher Price xylophone through a Marshall stack operated by an art school dropout committing a final act of brilliance in a giant industrial meat processor. Except it's catchy as hell.
Brimming with wit and energy, The Future Kings of Nowhere play acoustic pop-punk antifolk with an occasional bit of country twang. They call it acousticore. High speed acoustic guitars, double-time drumming, lush harmonies, and a slew of auxiliary instruments create a frantic backdrop for these songs of love, death, and modern day alienation. They sing with a disarming honesty that draws you in and a beat that keeps you moving. The hooks sink deep and the energy is unforgettable. One listen to their debut CD, released in June on 307 Knox Records, and you will be humming these tunes for weeks. This is cut off all your hair, bounce around the room music. Don't be surprised if you wake up drunk after their next show, with a new tattoo and a trespassing charge, to find a Future King correcting grammatical errors in the graffiti on the jailhouse walls! www.thefuturekings.com Listen to the interview Listen to "for the next girl I meet" (recorded live in the Den) Listen to "driver" (recorded live in the Den) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Joshua Van Ness air date: Wednesday September 26, 2007
"My music is "soul rock". I have been influenced by a lot of classic rock of the 60s & 70s and the alternative rock that ruled the airwaves during my early teens. Those influences have been balanced out by my love for soulful singers such as Prince, Dug Pinick, Chris Robinson, Van Hunt and others." - Joshua Van Ness
www.purevolume.com/joshuavanness Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Jim Testa air date: Monday September 24, 2007
For over 20 years, Jim Testa listened to other people's music and told you what he thought. Now it's your turn. The editor/publisher of JERSEY BEAT, one of the oldest and most well-respected music fanzines in America, has dusted off his guitar and returned to the stage with a second collection of his quirky, catchy, irreverent, witty, and sometimes sentimental pop tunes. "There Goes The Neighborhood" includes runaway hits like "Sally's Got A New Tattoo," about a grrl who gets a little too carried away at the tattoo & piercings parlor, and "Punk Rock Is Not Day Care," a savage indictment of the callow 'tweens turning Jim's precious punk scene into an episode of Lizzie McGuire. Jim appears as a solo singer/songwriter, with his friend John Raido on harmonica, and with the band Eisenhower at area venues throughout NYC and NJ. But you can almost catch him on the 4th Saturday of any month at the Charleston Bar & Grill in Williamsburg. The Village Voice says "quirky and catchy and a lot of fun." The Rev. Keith Gordon wrote that Jim's two EP's are "consistently charming, witty and fun to listen to." Greg Matherly of ARC magazine called it "straight up acoustic punk." But when Jim shows up with his guitar to play for you, you'll say, "There goes the neighborhood!"
www.myspace.com/jimtesta Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 George Stanford air date: Tuesday September 18, 2007
George Simon Stanford made his way to the front of the band through the brass section, where he played trombone in every type of band he could as a kid. Trombone proved to be a dangerous 'gateway' instrument, leading him to the bass, guitar, keyboards, and anything else that would make noise. He studied music theory at University of the Arts in his native Philadelphia for a year, where he formed the rock group Townhall. Realizing the academic lifestyle wasn't for him, he left school to set out on the road with his band, and after touring, recording, and starving for over five years, the group decided to go their separate ways in early 2006. With the demons of rock and roll calling his name louder than ever, and a new understanding of his own musical voice, George left his home and family for the bright lights of Los Angeles, to record a batch of new tunes. Within weeks of getting to the big city, he signed a recording contract with Epic Records. After a little corporate shake up in early 2007, George moved to Mercury Records, who will release his major label debut later this year.
www.georgestanford.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Sacha Sacket air date: Monday September 17, 2007
Alternative driven singer-songwriter Sacha Sacket is poised to redefine his genre both onstage and on the airwaves with a powerful new album slated for Fall 2007 on Golden Sphinx Records. With an MTV-ready music video for his first single “Judy,” an aggressive national press, radio, and viral marketing campaign in place, and a talented all-female backing band; Sacket’s career is set to reach an entirely new level of notoriety and respect.
Opulent sweeps of electronic orchestration frame the evocative voice of Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Sacha Sacket on his third full-length release, Lovers & Leaders. A strong pop current underscores themes of surrender and acceptance. “Although it’s a love album, the theme is really more about my battle not to succumb to it,” says Sacket. “ I guess I equated love with losing power, losing my goals and aspirations. I was trying to find the balance between honoring someone else and myself, while at the same time - finding where the edges meet.” The boldly titled Lovers and Leaders is as diverse as the characters that inspired it. The lyrics explore the freedom that comes through love, the nobility of leadership, and the devastating impact of the lack of either. Fans of Sacket’s confessional songwriting will immediately recognize the classically influenced melodies that are at the heart of the composer’s polished musicality. Lyrically, he stretches beyond the internal scrutiny of self-examination to etch distinct portraits of others with crystalline clarity: A disillusioned lover watches the runway recede from an ascending jet as she recalls “days of legs and sheets and lips” in “How Low?” An obsessive friend, “Judy (for shame)," dries roses and arranges dolls in rows on her bed, and in “Brandon Boyd,” the entitled “cool kids” intone threats to “keep the fat chicks/and the fags in line.” Sacket’s gift is not only to breathe life into these characters, but also to reveal their humanity. Born in Iran to a multi-cultural family (his father is Iranian, his mother British) Sacket came to California at age one where he grew up in the sun-baked sprawl of the San Fernando Valley. Among his high school peers were members of Linkin Park and Hoobastank. And “Brandon Boyd,” as named in song, is the classmate who co-founded the band Incubus. With the release of his second album, Sacha Sacket took his artistry far a field touring relentlessly with concerts at hundreds of colleges and music venues while garnering airplay on 150+ independent, college and NPR stations. With the advent of myspace, his audience grew exponentially and national media outlets soon took notice. Noted one reviewer, “Sacket’s music is not one for easy comparison. His remarkable and plaintive sensitivity conjures thoughts of a young Elton John, while a beautiful, textured piano recalls his classical past – a young obsession with Beethoven. His talent, however, is undeniable from any perspective. Armed with a unique and powerful voice, which is perhaps his greatest asset, Sacket grabs you right in the gut and never lets go.” With Lovers and Leaders, even though Sacket confronts emotional vulnerability, his position is one of strength. “I’m not crying, walking down the street or anything,” he laughs. “My music balances me. It’s a super shot, an ‘espresso’ shot of me. In my music, I say things that I’ve never said to anybody. It’s private stuff that I don’t really talk about: except to the world.” www.sachasacket.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The Winter Sounds air date: Friday September 14, 2007
The Winter Sounds are an ambitious, atmospheric indie-pop outfit completely unique in style and sound, hopeful and triumphant. The band creates an aural study of contrasts on their debut Porcelain Empire, most noted in the song "The Great Forgotten" which begins in a world of dreamy darkness; exploding into a land of hope and salvation when the song's chorus comes in. With flourishes of violin and a plaintive verse the track "Poor Sailors" morphs into a synth-pop dirge that recalls bands diverse as The Smiths, The Sisters Of Mercy, The Killers and Interpol. "The Earthworm Song" with its hymnal-like vocals shows off strong lead and harmony arrangements from singer Patrick Keenan, culled from his Catholic upbringing. The Winter Sounds create an alluring sound tapestry that chills to the bone at times, but somehow always leaves a sublimely angelic impression on the listeners psyche.
Back in the 90's current band members Tim Lilly (guitar), Joseph Kass (guitar), and Patrick Keenan (vocals, bass) went to school together in South Carolina. They did the "high school band thing" playing weekends at the local punk venue doing Minor Threat, Op Ivy, Misfits, and Ramones covers while toying with some originals. Some time passed and as college called the band split up and they all moved to different locations. Over the years, Patrick joined forces with Gina Asalon, an accomplished clarinet player who had just learned her way around the piano/keyboards. In May of 2005, Patrick decided to move to New Orleans to join the band Zydepunks, a gypsy punk band specializing in klezmer, Slavic, zydeco, Cajun irish punk rock which also featured Tim Lilly on guitar. It had been five years since they had played together and they were excited to be creating music together again but unfortunately they got one practice in before the Katrina struck. Patrick and Gina fled to Athens, GA where Joseph Kass was residing; Tim actually stayed in NOLA and roughed out the storm surviving at a bar with a generator and plenty of cold draft beer. Eventually after a missing persons call was issued, communication with Tim was re-established and he also took up residence in Athens with Patrick, Gina and Joseph. Thus the childhood friends were reunited and The Winter Sounds were born. Using school money, credit, friends, family, work and every possible resource imaginable the band went to Chase Park Transduction, an Athens studio, and put up the down payment on the Winter Sounds first EP "The Land of No Output." For drums, they found Donovan Babb, from the Athens' bands Boulevard and Engineering. Recording the EP took 16 days from January to March of 06. The title of the CD was a phrase coined by engineer David Barbe (Drive By Truckers, Sugar, Son Volt). The song stylings were very complex and had an enormous amount of layers - they would be mixing sometimes 70+ tracks at once. Anything that could be considered peripheral was cast into the "land of no output." The idea that the Winter Sounds were a real band and not only a studio recording project haunted the group and the itch grew to take the act on the road. The band started gigging in April and didn't slow down for anything. By mid-August 2006 they were touring full-time and would stay out until December. In those four months they would travel all through the southeast, northeast, and Midwest. By the end of 2006 they had played over 150 shows. In late December 06 the band was picked up and signed by Livewire Recordings. The band will remix and remaster some of the tracks off "Land of No Output" plus record 6 new songs with Livewire president/producer Colin Cobb (The Rewinds, Ashton Allen, Exit Clov) in January and February of 2007 for its first full-length release. Their Livewire Recordings' debut The Winter Sounds - "Porcelain Empire" will hit stores June 26, 2007. The band is planning a nationwide tour starting in March and ending in December 2007. www.thewintersounds.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Jon Caspi air date: Thursday September 13th, 2007 Jon Caspi has been a mainstay in the alternative college radio and NJ/NYC music scenes. He has been the lead voice and songwriter for nationally successful acts such as Bouncing Off Bob and Boss Gremlin, had his music featured on radio stations across the U.S, in films, and on MTV and the WB. Now, a resident of Monmouth County, NJ, Jon has been primarily involved in the great local scene. His CD, This Town, his debut solo album, was officially released in early 2005. It has been played on radio across the country, and is available for purchase now. On August 12th,2006 Jon released his follow-up to This Town, I'm Not Angry Anymore. www.joncaspi.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The Milwaukees air date: Friday September 7th, 2007
Complimented as “charmingly arrogant” by some and “hard working showmen” by others - The Milwaukees make music for the masses: engaging, raw and instantly approachable. Sonically they live between the Foo Fighters and the Faces, while influences like the Who and the Clash permeate the band’s explosive live sound. With their third full length, American Anthems Vol. 1, the boys from Jersey focused on writing durable songs and memorable melodies while creating an accessible collection of rock gems.
www.milwaukees.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Ben Godwin air date: Tuesday September 4th, 2007
A recent transplant to New York, Ben Godwin has performed at legendary London venues like the Troubadour, the Metro Club and the Kashmir Klub. From his roots in the underground rock scene in Glasgow in the late '90s, through Kinks and Jeff Buckley-influenced acoustic pop in the early '00s, his time in New York has transformed Godwin's sound into something raw, passionate and hypnotic, resembling the gravelly, fractured style of Tom Waits or the apocalyptic blues of Nick Cave- 'soaked in the gasoline, dirt, and restaurant grease of the sidewalks and subway platforms of his new home.' (Tom Drake- Urbanfolk #10)
Godwin has recently returned from a tour of his native UK, where he premiered material from his debut full-length album, SKIN AND BONE. A PR campaign by Organic Entertainment (Majestic Twelve) is in full swing to support the worldwide release of the album on April 17th, which will be accompanied by a US national album release tour. The album has already begun to gather momentum, being tapped twice for front page features on Napster and receiving great pre-release reviews from sites like Smother.Net, with more in the works. A radio campaign will begin in Summer 2007. A frequent performer in NYC for LIFEbeat's Hearts & Voices program, which brings live music to people living with HIV, Godwin will donate $1 from the sale of each copy of SKIN AND BONE to LIFEbeat's programs to fight AIDS. In April '07, Godwin collaborated with members of the NYC HIV+ community to create a video for the title track from SKIN AND BONE, which is being submitted to film festivals over Spring and Summer 2007. www.bengodwin.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Paul Sanchez air date: Tuesday July 24th, 2007
A former member of Cowboy Mouth, Paul Sanchez is a cat with eight lives used up and he's damn glad to be here. Paul is a troubadour from New Orleans. He is a storyteller. His own as well as ours. He is a student and a teacher. A traveler that finds home in a thousand different faces every night.
His Latest CD, "Between Friends", featuring guest artists John Boutte, Susan Cowsill, Darius Rucker and many others, is now available. Paul is currently on a major US tour in support of his new release. www.paulsanchez.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Will Hoge air date: Tuesday July 17th, 2007
Most performers are willing to follow whatever formulas or procedures they think worked for others. Will Hoge epitomizes an ideal for rock musicians: free-spirited and individualistic, knowledgeable of the past but not obsessed with it, and imminently capable of bringing renewed creative energy and passion to an idiom that sometimes seems devoid of inventiveness and edge.
www.willhoge.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Fairmont air date: Wednesday July 11th, 2007
Neil Sabatino first picked up a guitar in the early nineties. In those days he still had hope in his heart. It was before the NJ scene broke,
before emo came and went, before the music industry and the bullshit that comes with it did things to him. He found himself established in the punk
outfit Stick Figure Suicide – playing high profile shows with The Bouncing Souls, Saves The Day, AntiFlag, H20 and eventually securing a slot on The Vans Warped Tour. This was back in the days when only a handful of bands could say they achieved that honor. Things were still new. Things were beginning to happen.
Sabatino eventually joined NJ pop punk staples Pencey Prep, playing alongside future Fairmont bassist John “Hambone” McGuire and future My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero. The band gained popularity quickly and was signed to Eyeball Records. More high profile shows with Thursday, Nada Surf, and the The Strokes followed. They played the inaugural New Jersey Surf and Skate fest with New Found Glory and Brand New. Things were looking up. But things were also spiraling downward. Touring, disputes within the band, tensions with the label and a host of other incidents started embittering Sabatino. As he watched Pencey Prep implode, taking his youthful naivety with it, he poured the bitterness and spite he felt for the band and his crushed dreams into penning the material that would eventually lead to the creation of Fairmont. Originally a solo acoustic project, Fairmont was signed by Reinforcement Records before a full band had even been organized. Neil’s penchant for songwriting and the bitter honesty in lyrical style held its own weight and the “less is more” philosophy that he carried with him from his art school training allowed him to create material refreshingly different from the three chord and melodic emo music his community was emulating. Once assembled, Fairmont released their debut LP, Pretending Greatness Is Awaiting, a clever combination of half acoustic and half electric tracks. 2003 saw the release of Fairmont’s 2nd album Anomie and the reunion of Sabatino and McGuire. Anomie enjoyed college radio play locally and did well online, remaining at the top of the Indie Charts on websites like MP3.com. But it was Fairmont’s third album, Hell is Other People (produced by New London Fire/Sleep Station front man Dave Debiak) that created the most attention. After its 2005 release, The Aquarian Arts Weekly called it “A strong, confident, self-assured, commercially accessible effort from an outstanding young band just beginning to hit its creative stride…” and The Portland Phoenix dubbed them “The only good thing to come out of New Jersey (other then Bruce Springsteen).” 2006 had Fairmont on the road more than before - playing all over the Northeast and Midwestin progressively larger rooms. After releasing The Subtle Art of Making Enemies, an EP teaser for fans desperate for new material, Fairmont finally settled with producer Dean Baltulonis (The Hold Steady, The Explosion, Paint it Black) to record Wait & Hope. Wait & Hope is an autobiographical history of Fairmont’s career, reflected in dark pop songs of revenge and bitterness, love destructed, and confrontation with one’s demons and enemies. Drawing musical inspiration from The Replacements, Husker Du and other guitar rock legends, Fairmont successfully create an energetic, brooding backdrop to lyrics like “You were gleeful while I burned” and “Happiness is a million miles away”, all the while separating themselves from the current breed of New Jersey crooners through their maturity and experience. www.fairmontmusic.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Colin Hay air date: Tuesday July 10th, 2007
"Are You Lookin' at Me?" is Colin Hay's first studio album of new material in over five years. A tuneful, insightful meditation on life, love, sobriety, maturity and perseverance, the album finds Hay at the absolute peak of his craft. As a writer and vocalist, he has never been more masterful: finding intriguing new angles on instantly relatable scenarios, skewering and savoring in equal measure. His less acclaimed but no less formidable skills as arranger, engineer and bandleader insure that each song is supported by evocative musical backdrops ranging from electronic textures to plaintive acoustic balladry to classic guitar-driven pop."Are You Lookin’ at Me?" is unified by Hay’s immediately identifiable voice, relentless curiosity, wonder and a decidedly uncluttered sound which has its roots in Hay’s consistently busy tour schedule.
Few have endured and survived the way Hay has, from an unimaginable pinnacle of success to forging new roads as a working artist and songsmith. Avoiding the pitfalls that have claimed so many of his peers (drugs, depression, delusion), he continues to ply his craft. The rewards, he knows now, are greater than something as fleeting as fame and notoriety. "Are You Lookin’ at Me?" is the next chapter in a story that is still unfolding – on his terms. “I feel really great about this record,” Hay reflects, “because I feel close to it. I don’t listen to it and think ‘Oh, that’s not me’ or ‘I’m trying to do something weird here.’ That’s what’s different...I have a great band and a great group of people to work with. It’s fun now. But not in a light way – it’s got ome weight to it. But,” he says smiling, “it’s not like I have to please anybody. Well, maybe my wife.” www.colinhay.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Anthony D'Amato (producer/director of Hedwig & The Angry Inch) air date: Friday July 6th, 2007
The East German rock goddess herself, HEDWIG, has been seen on stages around the world, from Junction City to Japan, and is finally ready to TEAR UP Asbury Park! She has sold-out Sizzlers, standing room only at the Hometown Buffet and, at one time, Hedwig was the Featured Item at Waffle House Restaurants all over Kansas ("there's no place like home!")!
Behind her are the ambassadors of Eastern bloc rock, The Angry Inch, coming to NEW JERSEY for the first time with their original, post-punk, neo-glam music. www.myspace.com/hedwigasburypark Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Beatallica air date: Thursday July 5th, 2007
THINK THAT THE BEATLES AND METALLICA ARE MUSICALLY WORLDS APART? BEATALLICA WILL PROVE YOU WRONG, WITH ‘SGT. HETFIELD’S MOTORBREATH PUB BAND’!
Although the Beatles certainly had some ‘heavy’ moments (“Helter Skelter,” “Revolution” or “I Want You (She’s So Heavy),” anyone?), they are certainly not considered a metal band. And on the other side of the coin, Metallica is not considered a pop band. But then along comes Beatallica, and the lines between both acts have been erased – as heard throughout their first official, fully authorized album ‘Sgt. Hetfield’s Motorbreath Pub Band’. Comprised of members Jaymz Lennfield (vocals, guitar), Grg Hammettson (guitar), Kliff McBurtney (bass), and Ringo Larz (drums), Beatallica has been converting naysayers into believers for years by this point – having made fans throughout the world, and also with such renowned headbangers as Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy and Anthrax’s Scott Ian. Originally coming to the attention of Headbangers everywhere with their initial Internet phenomenon story resulting in a million hits to their website and a legion of supporters, Beatallica has signed on with the Universal/Fontana distributed label Oglio Records, to release the fully authorized and newly recorded 'Sgt. Hetfield's Motorbreath Pub Band' on July 10th. As evidenced by such song titles as "…And Justice For All My Loving," "Leper Madonna," and "Ktulu (He's So Heavy)," the quartet's knack for combining both these music giants together remains as sharp as ever. Not just a studio creation, Beatallica has amassed a huge following - known as the Beatallibangers - throughout the world due to their fun, hard rocking live show, as they've played shows with such metal heavy weights as Motorhead, and have even headlined open-air festivals themselves. Further U.S. and Euro live dates beckon, as well as video clips for the single "Revol-ooh-tion" and "A Garage Dayz Nite." www.beatallica.org Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Slo-Mo air date: Tuesday July 3rd, 2007
Slo-Mo is the brainchild of Philadelphia steel guitarist Mike "Slo-Mo" Brenner. Brenner has spent time on the road and in the studio playing steel guitar with such bands as Marah, Magnolia Electric Company and Badly Drawn Boy, but Slo-Mo is something totally different.
The first Slo-Mo disc, "Novelty", came out in 2000 on Bongload/Acid Blues and was largely a collaboration between Brenner and producers Tom Rothrock (Beck, Foo Fighters, RL Burnside, Elliot Smith) and Beale Dabbs (RL Burnside, Lutefisk). The second disc, "My Buzz Comes Back" (PHIdelity), released October 2005, reflected the new partnership of Brenner and Philly rapper Mic Wrecka. Beginning with the title track, Brenner and Wrecka (and co-producer Edan Cohen) slowly crafted a disc of tunes that draw from hip hop, R&B, pop, techno and, of course, the sounds of steel guitar. On the just-released disc (May, '07), "Smokey Mountain," Brenner and Wrecka continue their co-writing and re-defining of Slo-Mo. This time, the live line-up of Brenner, Wrecka, drummer Mark Schreiber, bassist Steve Demarest, percussionist Hoagy Wing and fabulous singers Sue Rosetti, Steph Hayes (gtr) and Lauren Hart (keys) pumps up the tunes with a more organic groove. For those waiting for a disc that more represents the live show, this is the one. www.heyslomo.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Astrella Celeste air date: Wednesday June 27th, 2007
The ultimate 60's love child as the middle daughter of Donovan who wrote "Catch the Wind," "Mellow Yellow" and "Hurdy Gurdy Man," Astrella Celeste is now coming into the spotlight in her own right. Her single "Dream," captures the lyrical and relaxing spirit of her father's music, whilst fusing jazz, pop and country in a way that is unique to her. Her songs are very personal, soulful and sensitive with a sweet, almost innocent quality that expresses a beautiful casual lifestyle. Now living in Mallorca, Spain, it goes without saying that Astrella has lived a charmed life and her music has an easy going way about it.
Having performed on stage since her childhood (releasing a single in Italy at age 8, which led to the Pope asking to meet her) Astrella spent her youth in acting schools and dance troupes before working with her father providing backing vocals and touring with him. She says, "My dad will always be my biggest influence but I also love Chet Baker, Nina Simone, Sade, Tori Amos, The Cardigans... I could go on and on." Astrella's career has been richly developed by working with other musicians in recording sessions, performances and/or home jams, amongst them David Gilmour, Brian Setzer, Donovan, Mark White, Happy Mondays, and Graham Nash, to name but a few. Musicians are drawn to Astrella with the result that the credits for her upcoming EP release 'Blue Star' (the Spanish translation of Astrella-Celeste) make for interesting reading - written by Astrella with Kevin Hunter (of Sheryl Crow fame), the record is produced by Yoad Nevo (Sugababes, Goldfrapp), string arrangements are by the legendary John Cameron (Les Miserables, Jose Carreras) with Rat Scabies on drums, Andy Hobson (Pretenders) on bass and Carmen Squire on rhythm guitar and BVs. Interest in Astrella has been high with features already having run in Sunday Times Magazine, Hello and Daily Mail. Astrella was recently featured with her father on PBS WLIW21's "The Donovan Concert: Live in L.A.," filmed at the Kodak Theater in L.A. in January, in a concert benefiting the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace. Astrella joined her father for a duet rendition of her UK hit "Dream." She also opened for her father at the Jazz Café to critical acclaim and will be performing the renowned Isle of Wight Festival 2007 this June. www.myspace.com/astrellaceleste Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Winter Sounds air date: Monday June 25th, 2007
The Winter Sounds are an ambitious, atmospheric indie-pop outfit completely unique in style and sound, hopeful and triumphant. The band creates an aural study of contrasts on their debut Porcelain Empire, most noted in the song "The Great Forgotten" which begins in a world of dreamy darkness; exploding into a land of hope and salvation when the song's chorus comes in. With flourishes of violin and a plaintive verse the track "Poor Sailors" morphs into a synth-pop dirge that recalls bands diverse as The Smiths, The Sisters Of Mercy, The Killers and Interpol. "The Earthworm Song" with its hymnal-like vocals shows off strong lead and harmony arrangements from singer Patrick Keenan, culled from his Catholic upbringing. The Winter Sounds create an alluring sound tapestry that chills to the bone at times, but somehow always leaves a sublimely angelic impression on the listeners psyche.
Back in the 90's current band members Tim Lilly (guitar), Joseph Kass (guitar), and Patrick Keenan (vocals, bass) went to school together in South Carolina. They did the "high school band thing" playing weekends at the local punk venue doing Minor Threat, Op Ivy, Misfits, and Ramones covers while toying with some originals. Some time passed and as college called the band split up and they all moved to different locations. Over the years, Patrick joined forces with Gina Asalon, an accomplished clarinet player who had just learned her way around the piano/keyboards. In May of 2005, Patrick decided to move to New Orleans to join the band Zydepunks, a gypsy punk band specializing in klezmer, Slavic, zydeco, Cajun irish punk rock which also featured Tim Lilly on guitar. It had been five years since they had played together and they were excited to be creating music together again but unfortunately they got one practice in before the Katrina struck. Patrick and Gina fled to Athens, GA where Joseph Kass was residing; Tim actually stayed in NOLA and roughed out the storm surviving at a bar with a generator and plenty of cold draft beer. Eventually after a missing persons call was issued, communication with Tim was re-established and he also took up residence in Athens with Patrick, Gina and Joseph. Thus the childhood friends were reunited and The Winter Sounds were born. Using school money, credit, friends, family, work and every possible resource imaginable the band went to Chase Park Transduction, an Athens studio, and put up the down payment on the Winter Sounds first EP "The Land of No Output." For drums, they found Donovan Babb, from the Athens' bands Boulevard and Engineering. Recording the EP took 16 days from January to March of 06. The title of the CD was a phrase coined by engineer David Barbe (Drive By Truckers, Sugar, Son Volt). The song stylings were very complex and had an enormous amount of layers - they would be mixing sometimes 70+ tracks at once. Anything that could be considered peripheral was cast into the "land of no output." The idea that the Winter Sounds were a real band and not only a studio recording project haunted the group and the itch grew to take the act on the road. The band started gigging in April and didn't slow down for anything. By mid-August 2006 they were touring full-time and would stay out until December. In those four months they would travel all through the southeast, northeast, and Midwest. By the end of 2006 they had played over 150 shows. In late December 06 the band was picked up and signed by Livewire Recordings. The band will remix and remaster some of the tracks off "Land of No Output" plus record 6 new songs with Livewire president/producer Colin Cobb (The Rewinds, Ashton Allen, Exit Clov) in January and February of 2007 for its first full-length release. Their Livewire Recordings' debut The Winter Sounds - "Porcelain Empire" will hit stores June 26, 2007. The band is planning a nationwide tour starting in March and ending in December 2007. www.thewintersounds.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Uniform air date: Friday May 18th, 2007
Modern music for a haunted suburban life
www.uniformmusic.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The Misery Loves air date: Friday May 18th, 2007
What do you get when you unite the vocal prowess of a singing pterodactyl with expressive, anxious guitars, subterranean bass, and the heaviest drummer in rock? Self-prophesized, presumed Gods of rhythm and melody, The Misery Loves - a musically inspired trio faithfully dedicated to taking over the world one hit song at a time.
The Misery Loves are Mark (vocals, guitars), Brian(bass), and John (drums). Hailing from Northern NJ, this epic threes company of sonically rabid rockers stage hook-heavy, guitar pop with the cunning of a fox in a henhouse. Armed with unbreakable artistic will and a screaming red axe, Mark rouses with the lyrical passion of a poet and the bare all attitude of a porn star. His tongue in cheek, angst driven melodies are as impossibly catchy as they are soulfully haunting. Rounding out this mega band in the making is a rhythm section so rugged youll leave the show bruised and bleeding. Like cantankerous elephants on a groove-parade , Brian and John create a pocket so Galactic it transforms deep, growling hooks into feverish soundscapes of courageous feel. Also starring: eric the blond - guitars, vocals and jared the brown on the keys. www.themiseryloves.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Anthony Fiumano air date: Thursday May 17th, 2007
Listening to Anthony Fiumano brings back memories of this past summer and my trip to Woodstock, New York. My introduction to Dylan's famed "pink house" still reverberating echoes of those famed basement tapes recorded right there with The Band so long, long ago. Simple acoustic arrangements and harmonica drenched stories, traditional and lean in their making, and so huge in their magical contributions to the music we listen to today.
Fiumano is a songwriter from that same time-honored tradition. He has been compared to Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Jeff Tweedy and other individuals that focus on the homespun song. Relying on his acoustic guitar and harmonica, there is no backing band for what he does. Basic and up-front, Fiumano delivers folk-styled blues, country, R&B, and other iconic American music forms in a way that only deep personal study can provide. His voice is distinct. Although he does remind me of a young James Taylor at times, his style is ultimately his own and at the age of 21 he has already started his journey of becoming one of New Jersey's most talented solo artists around. Anthony is currently working on his first solo album, which is due out sometime in 2007. I listened to his most recent selection of tunes and was impressed with the depth and stark soundscapes on such excellent songs as "Darlene," with its quiet but urgent James Taylor vibe, and the Neil Young backwoods smoke on "The Year of the Flood." There's the Dylan-esque wails of "Born To Crawl," and the outstanding "Lucky Numbers" with dripping strains of Wilco's Jeff Tweedy. This is a player to watch. Quiet and composed, he does his thing with contemporary style and an eye on the past masters. One of a handful that carries on in the traditional mode of folk and blues, he is poised to take that genre to his own gritty level. Anthony Fiumano has been nominated for an award at the upcoming Asbury Music Awards on Nov. 11. Show up and support him. For further information on upcoming shows and his new record, check him out at anthonyfiumano.com -Jon Pfieffer www.anthonyfiumano.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The Chilling Details air date: Wednesday May 16th, 2007
The Chilling Details' new album "INNERDIALOGUE" will be out on june 16th. the CD release party will be held that night at asbury lanes. there are three band members. in their spare time they like to eat cookies, have pillow fights with girls and dance to electronic music. Thanks to everyone for checking them out.
www.thechillingdetails.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 April Smith air date: Tuesday May 15th, 2007
born at the end of disco and the middle of rock n roll, when this one began to cry, god said “jesus, she’s got lungs.” her music is like this: combine the dramatic presence of freddie mercury, melodic sweetness of buckley, range and power of ann wilson, smoky sarcasm of tom waits, and the ornate imagination of michel gondry and you’re getting close. sounds good, we know. we call it vocally-driven-cinemelodic rock for short.
www.aprilsmithmusic.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Joanna Burns air date: Monday May 14th, 2007
Joanna, 23, a native of Hazlet, NJ is an up-and-comer whose soulfully soaring vocals and piano-driven bluesy folk-pop style is about to change the independent music scene; starting with the Jersey Shore and some of its more well-known venues such as The Stone Pony and the Saint in Asbury Park among others. Having recorded a 3-song demo with producer Alex Houton of Singularity Studio, she's eager to record a full length album. "I'm not interested in my most "marketable" song playing on every radio. I want to be that artist that you find out about through word of mouth. I want it to be that when you hear my music, a part of it connects with you personally. And you keep coming back for that reason."
www.joannaburns.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Joe Harvard air date: Friday May 11th, 2007
Joe Harvard has been called a Boston legend through his long career as a
musician, producer-engineer and indie pioneer. Co-founder of Fort Apache
Recording, Music at the Middle East Restaurant and NYC's Tribal Soundz,
author of "The Velvet Underground and Nico", creator/author of the Boston
Rock Storybook website, he appears in several documentaries including
"Counting Backwards" and "The Velvet Underground, An Independent Critical
Analysis," as well as having won NYC's prestigious 2000 Moth Storyslam
[storytelling] Championship. Winner of the WFNX/Boston Phoenix Best Local
Producer title back in his native Boston, Joe's long list of session credits
includes playing on LP's by Dinosaur, Jr., Throwing Muses, and the Pernice
Brothers, while his '85 - '93 tenure as owner of Fort Apache was marked by
countless pioneering indie and alternative releases, including the Pixies,
Bosstones, Breeders, T.Muses, Buffalo Tom, Lemonheads, Mission of Burma,
Blake Babies/Julianna Hatfield, and Treat Her Right. While Joe handles steel
and electric guitar, cumbus and bazouki, both Pernice Brothers stickhandler
Patrick Berkery and Paperback Radio drummer Sarah Tomek, along with bassist
Jay Walker, help him create his "Country Eastern" meld of garage,
alt-country and middle eastern sounds, often peppered with incidental
storytelling. Keith Monacchio of the Commons and Tony Tedesco of Roadside
Repentants recently joined the band, adding acoustic and electric guitar and
vocals.
www.myspace.com/joeharvardband Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 They Might Be Giants air date: Thursday May 10th, 2007
A MESSAGE FROM THE BAND:
"We are a band from Brooklyn that has been around for a long time. TMBG actively records and tours, and we have this free podcast at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=105708952. You might not know we got a Grammy a couple of years back for the theme to Malcolm in the Middle, and recorded all that rock and orchestral music on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Our new album THE ELSE will be released soon. It has 13 new songs, with tracks produced by They Might Be Giants with our pal NY mixing genius Pat Dillett and LA production superstars The Dust Brothers. The artwork was done by "Bed Bed Bed" collaborator and Canadian art genius Marcel Dzama. This album also spotlights our highly effective live ensemble of superstar players who are not professionally known as the MarDans, but could be if they formed a partnership. We are very happy with the album and will be touring in the summer and fall to get out the good word. Some top-secret shows in New England and NYC will be happening in early May, and July dates in the mid-west and the New York area. Watch this space for updates, or sign up for our free info and email service at TMBGs free mp3 service Til then-thanks!" -They Might Be Giants www.tmbg.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Billy Harvey air date: Wednesday May 9th, 2007
I was born in Evanston, Illinois. I have one younger sister. We were both, raised by our mom (who bought me my first guitar when I was twelve). We moved around a lot when I was growing up. In fact, in one Six Year span I think we moved thirteen times. Living in various cities like, Santa Fe, Boston and Seattle. Eventually we ended up in Chicago where my mom found a job that she liked. My sister and I went to high school there.
At seventeen, the summer of my graduation, I moved to California in a VW van that my mom sold to me for a dollar. I headed for San Francisco even though I didn't know anyone there. I figured when I got there I'd just sleep in my van for a while till I got a band started or something. I did finally join a band that became very popular in that area for the time, and I did finally move out of my van (although it was 6 months later). The band was called Flame. We were together for 6 years and put 2 records out. I've been in bands my whole life and every now and then I'd sing, but usually there was a SINGER. Writing all along, and usually keeping a song or two to myself, at one point decided that I wanted to sing them. So, I started playing around the Bay Area and it was ok, but I was getting the feeling I should be doing it elsewhere. By process of elimination it came down to Austin, TX. I have been in Austin now for about ten years. I have worked with many great Austin artists in that time…Trish Murphy, Bob Schneider, Kacy Crowley, Blu Sanders, Steve Poltz, Craig Ross… I have four indie releases -"More Happy Than Sad","Toast",“Pie”, and my new one "Bearsick". www.billyharvey.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Sounds Of Greg D air date: Tuesday May 8th, 2007
The Bio of Greg D and His Various Musical Meanderings
Greg Di Gesu was born in the height of Beatlemania, May 1965. In connection with being born during this fab time, his inspiration to play and write music was sparked by the murder of John Lennon 15 years later in 1980. It was in the immediate wake of Lennon’s death that Greg swam in the outpouring of Beatles’ music. His first exposure had been through the carnival of Sgt Pepper’s in 1967 at the age of 2. The circus-like musical atmosphere and packaging was attractive to a toddler. The imagery and sounds of Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds was definitely an early springboard. Forward to college, two songwriters, Paul Rieder and Greg Di Gesu meet. They become a complimentary team. The Wooden Soldiers quickly became local New Brunswick, NJ faves. They achieved national attention with 1987’s debut “Hippies, Punks, and Rubber Men” on Absolute A-Go-Go Records. Some touring followed and great reviews were aplenty. Departing bassist, Paul Marangelo, was replaced with Matt Coleman (now know as Claude Coleman Jr., drummer for Ween). The full length follow up, “Lazy Man’s Load”, was completed with prior recording engineer, Henry Hirsch (of Lenny Kravitz notoriety). During the span of The Wooden Soldiers, Greg began learning the art of studio recording under the guidance of Henry Hirsch. The result was full time house engineer at Waterfront Studios in Hoboken, NJ for 6 years. With the success of the Waterfront-recorded Lenny Kravitz records, Di Gesu remained a busy studio technician working with a great variety of artists and in different styles. This helped his music and visions considerably. Presently Di Gesu engineers out of Loho Studios in New York City and Grisly Studios in Jersey City. He has received 2 platinum records. The first for Lenny Kravitz’s Are You Gonna Go My Way and another for John Mayer’s Room For Squares. John Mayer also won the award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Your Body Is a Wonderland" at the 45th Grammy Awards in New York City. Greg has also worked with Jimmy Scott, Guided By Voices, Elliott Smith, and had remixes appear on Antonio Carlos Jobim’s release, “The Man From Ipanema” (Polygram). Abandoning the steady band member idea, the next endeavor was Fishermen’s Stew. This concept featured a bunch of rotating musicians from the years 1991-1999. This name refers to the “catch of the day" and sometimes the personnel from show to show was just that! There were many spontaneous moments and really good performances. Within that time the band released some singles, notably on Dada Records domestically and on Berlin-based Twang! Records. The two full-length CD’s were Letter To Norway in 1995 (Dada) and Hand To Mouth in 1997 (Get Hooked Records). Speedsters and Dopers were founded in NYC in June of 2000. The music would not be of the hippie variety nor would it be heavy metal, as some may assume from its namesake. Instead there was a sound encompassing early Bowie and the songwriting stylings of Lennon & Reed with the lyrical focus of Dylan. The band kicked into high gear live with the spontaneity of true rock ‘n’ roll performance. At times the stage melded with theater as the vocal stylings and bodily meanderings of Di Gesu held the attention of both eyes and ears. Their debut, 9 o’clock in the Afternoon was released in 2003 on Get Hooked Records to welcoming ears. Now it is 2006 and we are 642+ completed songs later.. Presently, Greg has put together a great band to get the songs into the ears of the world. Ryan Thornton on drums (Rana / Sam Champion), Dave Dreiwitz on bass (Ween), Jack Petruzzelli playing guitar (The Fab Faux / Rufus Wainwright), and Arne Wendt (Como Drive / The VooDudes) on Hammond B3, Wurlitzer, Nord. Greg D is playing guitar and singing his songs. The current songwriting is his prime. Introspective lyrics that are easily identifiable as well as terrific melodies and hooks. Each song is complete unto itself. Rockers to quiet beauties to quirky strains of Syd Barrett-ness. So if songs are what you are after, you are in the right place. Welcome to the Sounds of Greg D www.gregsounds.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Ben Godwin air date: Monday May 7th, 2007
A recent transplant to New York, Ben Godwin has performed at legendary London venues like the Troubadour, the Metro Club and the Kashmir Klub. From his roots in the underground rock scene in Glasgow in the late '90s, through Kinks and Jeff Buckley-influenced acoustic pop in the early '00s, his time in New York has transformed Godwin's sound into something raw, passionate and hypnotic, resembling the gravelly, fractured style of Tom Waits or the apocalyptic blues of Nick Cave- 'soaked in the gasoline, dirt, and restaurant grease of the sidewalks and subway platforms of his new home.' (Tom Drake- Urbanfolk #10)
Godwin has recently returned from a tour of his native UK, where he premiered material from his debut full-length album, SKIN AND BONE. A PR campaign by Organic Entertainment (Majestic Twelve) is in full swing to support the worldwide release of the album on April 17th, which will be accompanied by a US national album release tour. The album has already begun to gather momentum, being tapped twice for front page features on Napster and receiving great pre-release reviews from sites like Smother.Net, with more in the works. A radio campaign will begin in Summer 2007. A frequent performer in NYC for LIFEbeat's Hearts & Voices program, which brings live music to people living with HIV, Godwin will donate $1 from the sale of each copy of SKIN AND BONE to LIFEbeat's programs to fight AIDS. In April '07, Godwin collaborated with members of the NYC HIV+ community to create a video for the title track from SKIN AND BONE, which is being submitted to film festivals over Spring and Summer 2007. www.bengodwin.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Hero Pattern air date: Friday May 4th, 2007
Hero Pattern is a whirlwind of rock 'n'roll power. Born in the New Jersey underground, they are now careening recklessly into the hearts and minds of an ever-growing fan base around the world.
www.myspace.com/heropattern Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Cate air date: Thursday May 3rd, 2007
Caté - Artist/Vocalist/Composer/Musician. Working with a palette of beautiful melodies, global grooves and a boho chic sensibility Caté has created a sound & style all his own. Calling it "Funky World Soul", it's music that is organic, sensual, sophisticated and funky. Attempting to brighten the world a bit by adding more light to it. Musiq for those of us who like a little consciousness with our grooves. His debut cd "ONE FUNKY WORLD" was a Soul/Pop gem. He followed it with "GROOVE LIFE". An inspired global trip through Jazz/Dance/Lounge& Brazilian music. With his love of funky rhythms and his ability to fuse diverse musical genres Caté has carved out his own territory on the world musical landscape. Musiq to groove the mind, body & soul. His unique sound has garnered him an international following with fans in the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, Netherlands and South Africa.
Live. Caté is working with some of the most talented musicians around today to reinterpret what you hear on record making each show a spontaneous, creative and joyous events. Moving your feet as well as your soul. The Caté Musiq Group is the live vibe that defies genre labeling by mixing up 70's soul & pop, jazz, gospel, old-skool hip-hop, Brazilian, funk, house, Latin, rock, reggae, and worldbeat influences. Bringing to life a sound & vision that continues to grow whenever they play. As the opening line to "GROOVE LIFE" says, "This is soul, this light, this is home. WELCOME!" www.cateinfo.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Agency air date: Wednesday May 2nd, 2007
Based in Asbury park NJ, Agency consists of drummer Joseph Savio, guitarist Michael Scotto, bassist Mike Thompson and singer Brian Saint. Together they create genre defying music that is soulful, strong and timeless. This sound combined with a radiant stage presence allows Agency to captivate and connect with every audience they perform to. Agency attacks both social and personal issues with full conviction, armed with lyrics that combine the divergant energies of life into a message of hope, honesty, and unity. Agency’s collective mindset is one of “Ours” rather then “Mine”, and they are commited to the idea that there is a better future where the focus is on the common good, but never fearful or ignorant to the forces that work against that. Agency, a band for the people will surely ride the waves they create.
www.agencymusic.net |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Cripsin Glover air date: Tuesday May 1st, 2007
Known for creating many memorable, incredibly quirky characters onscreen as an actor, Glover's first effort as a director will not disappoint fans of his offbeat sensibilities and eccentric taste. Featuring a cast largely comprised of actors with Down's Syndrome, the film is not about Down's Syndrome. Glover describes it as "Being the adventures of a young man whose principal interests are snails, salt, a pipe and how to get home as tormented by an hubristic racist inner psyche." In addition to writing and directing WHAT IS IT?, Glover also appears in the film as an actor in the role of "Dueling Demi-God Auteur and The young man's inner psyche." Actress Fairuza Balk voices one of the snails.
www.crispinglover.com |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Lexington Down air date: Monday April 30th, 2007
Lexington Down creates emotionally charged, passionate indie rock with punk edges.
Keith Hann, Dan Palyca, Gerry Matthews and Chris Farrell are Lexington Down. These four gentlemen have an infectious energy on and off the stage. They create "a wall of sound" comparable to such bands as Jimmy Eat World, Death Cab For Cutie, and Fugazi. Keith Hann's unquestionable enthusiasm and erratic nature have come to be a signature style of this bands captivating front man. Gerry Matthews and Chris Farrell create a tight, groove oriented rhythm section for Dan Palyca to layer his mood-driven guitar work over. Their sound mixes styles old and new, expressing feelings of excitement, frustration, and accomplishment. With a determination to play for anyone who will listen, this band continues to reinvent itself song after song, show after show. Hailing from Asbury Park/Atlantic City, New Jersey, the group spends their time pushing each other to their physical and emotional limits to intensify and hone in on a sound they strive to brand their own. In just a short time, Lexington Down has made an obvious impact on their local scene having played over 160 shows in under 3 years. With captivating and energetic live performances, audiences have been called to attention from beginning to end. Through their do-it-yourself positive attitudes and intense motivation it is clear that there is nothing standing in the way of their future progression. Lexington Down is frequently playing venues from Boston to Washington DC with plans to release a full length and gain national exposure during 2007. Look for and expect to see them all over northeastern metropolitan areas and nationally in the coming months. www.lexingtondown.com Listen to the interview |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Allie Moss air date: Friday April 27th, 2007
With influences ranging from Ella Fitzgerald to the Cardigans, NJ-bred Allie Moss fills her original songs with a voice that hangs on each note like dew. Both soulful and sweet, her jazz-tinged folk-pop music, which showcases a powerful voice, emphatic lyrics, skillful guitar and piano, as well as a refreshing versatility has entertained audiences in many popular venues throughout NYC and NJ, including: Rockwood Music Hall, Pianos, The Sidewalk Café, Kenny's Castaways, and The Baggot Inn in NYC, Matchless in Brooklyn, Maxwell's & The Saint in NJ.
Allie Moss has been featured on TV and in video games, and can currently be heard around NYC and NJ singing and playing solo, as well as performing in Ingrid Michaelson's band. Her song "Way With Words" was included on the compilation CD "Other Songs & Dances, Vol 1." in 2006. Look for her solo EP in early 2007. (Wendy Atterberry) www.alliemoss.com |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Lisa Bouchelle air date: Thursday April 26th, 2007
Lisa Bouchelle has had a busy couple of months… she performed live at the Bruce Springsteen/Jon Bon Jovi Christmas show, singing lead as well as backup for Bruce on “Spirits In The Night” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” and for Jon on several Christmas songs and on his hit “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”
She then headed up to New York to appear on a live WPLJ radio broadcast with Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates, Cyndi Lauper, and Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty. Lisa’s new CD, "Paint Your Dreams," was just completed at Jon Bon Jovi’s home studio with Jon’s right-hand man, engineer and co-producer, Obie O’Brien. The CD includes contributions from musicians such as Shawn Pelton (Saturday Night Live, Sheryl Crow, Michelle Branch, etc.) and Bobby Bandiera (Bon Jovi, Graham Parker, Cyndi Lauper, etc.); and guest vocals from legendary singers Southside Johnny and Gary US Bonds. “Paint Your Dreams” is out in Japan (with two bonus tracks), and will be released in the U.S. on April 3rd through WetDuck/Cement Shoes/Fontana, a Division of The Universal Music Group. Advance copies are available at her live perfomances. Songs from Lisa's new album are among those available from Starbucks Hear Music® Media Bars in the Starbucks Hear Music® Coffeehouses in select cities around the U.S. Lisa will be making a return appearance on NBC's The 10! Show on Wednesday, March 14th. She has been selected as a "Top Pick For 2007" by the leading U.S. college entertainment publication, Campus Activities Magazine. She has also opened for a variety of artists, including Bryan Adams, Nancy Sinatra, Kansas, Hot Tuna, Southside Johnny & The Jukes, David Bromberg, Gary U.S. Bonds, The Wailers, Nils Lofgren, and members of Phish and the Jerry Garcia Band; and has appeared at venues such as The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, The Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, the TLA and Tin Angel in Philadelphia, BB King's Blues Club in New York City, the Taj Mahal Arena in Atlantic City, and the Ventnor Performing Arts Center in Ventnor, NJ, among others. www.lisabouchelle.com |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Lara Ewen air date: Wednesday April 25th, 2007
Lara Ewen was born in New York City, but her songs evoke dirt roads as much as asphalt. Influenced by folk and blues traditions, and with a nod to today’s alt. country sound, she weaves bare acoustic guitar and thought-provoking lyrics together, producing a distinctly original body of work.
Throughout her career, she has favored the unconventional way forward, beginning with her early days as a street musician, and more recently with a year spent in the Midwest following the self-release of her debut 5-song CD, Clear . But whether she’s playing to packed bars in Kansas City or crowded coffeehouses in New York, Lara consistently attracts fans to her lush guitar playing, which can swing from percussive rhythms to intricate, fingerpicked melodies. Her voice, at once sweet and stark, takes on a growling ferocity in her more rowdy moments, lending an unexpected edge to her music. Infused with wry observations and cheeky undertones, her songs provide a fresh perspective on traditional ideas about love, loss and longing — and have earned her comparisons to Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin, Ani Difranco and Jonatha Brooke. www.unstrungmusic.com |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Vicky Emerson air date: Tuesday April 24th, 2007
Vicky was raised in the village of Elmwood, Wisconsin where it has sustained a population of 742 people over the years and has an unusual affinity for UFO sightings (it is self proclaimed UFO Capital of the World). One could call this a humble beginning, but every story needs to start somewhere and Vicky begins in rural Wisconsin. After months of pleading around her sixth birthday, Vicky received a old, scratched Kimball upright from her parents and began lessons. Music became her first love. She never tired of practicing and as a child, soon began writing songs of her own. Learning all types of music as a child, from classical to popular songs, definitely influenced the shaping of her unique Americana style—a blending of folk and blues to create beautiful, heartfelt songs.
This love affair with music now keeps Vicky on the road over 200 performance dates a year. Her most recent release, REACH, was described as “…delicate and confident. Eclectic and silky.” by Ken Abdo, nationally renowned entertainment lawyer. The Minneapolis Star Tribune named her a “siren-voiced Lilith Fair-style folkie.” The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said, “REACH conjures up an image of a piano-playing Terri Hendrix, a Texas songwriter of considerable talent.” Vicky’s songs have received critical acclaim and won awards from notable organizations such as the Austin Songwriting Group, the Dallas Songwriting Group, Songwriters of Wisconsin International and in 2004, Billboard named her music “Instantly Appealing.” Some highlights from the 2006 tour would be the hip Living Room in Manhattan, the legendary Anderson Fair in Houston and she had the privilege to share the stage with talents like Buddy Mondlock (Guy Clark, Nanci Griffith), NYC favorite Anne Heaton, C. Willi Myles, Ellery Music, and Austin favorites Matt the Electrician and Southpaw Jones. Inspired by many Texas songwriters, Vicky has become an incredibly talented songwriter in her own right. She believes in the craft of creating a melodic story that draws a listener in with “music that is rich, and the lyrics…are delivered in a way that prompts one to ask: More please?” Wayne Hamilton, Indie Music Reviews. 2007 has already been a big year for Vicky. In January, she showcased in Texas at the Windows Music Festival in Fredericksburg and also appeared on WGN, the #1 nighttime radio show in Chicago. This fall a highly anticipated new album will be released with the musical talents of nationally known Lloyd Maines (Dixie Chicks, Terri Hendrix), Dean Magraw (MMA Best Guitar Player 2005), Gordy Johnson (MMA Best Bass Player 2004), Steve Goold (Look Alive/Bill Mike), and Matthew Freed (Cloud Cult.) Vicky currently resides in New York City. Perhaps it is the humble beginnings of growing up in a small Midwestern town that has instilled a certain charm in Vicky, but the warmth and quiet confidence that exudes from her during a live performance is extremely rare. Many say that even though initially she is a stranger on stage, upon leaving the show, there is a sensation that you just saw an old friend. With a rich, crystal-clear voice, accomplished musicianship on the piano and guitar, she sings her songs powerfully and filled with passion guaranteed to stir your soul. www.vickyemerson.com |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The Crayons air date: Thursday April 19th, 2007
Massachusetts, California, New Jersey, and now Albany, New York, The Crayons take life wherever singer/songwriter/guitarist KC finds a place to crash.
The Crayons first disc was an acoustic EP “236 Astor”, recorded in a garage and released on their own label. Critics and fans were instantly captured and positive reviews started pouring in… “The disc is moody and introspective, full of melancholy lyrics that would make your eyes well up with tears if they weren’t accompanied by beautiful, upbeat guitar work. It is this odd and stirring combination that gives “236 Astor” its lasting appeal.” – Brandon Lester, The Daily Athenaum KC, wanting more noise, enlisted the musical talent and production skills of The Churchills for his next effort. The result was the well received “What Color Are You?” released under New York indie label Cropduster Records. “The Crayons are an edgy east coast rock band. Their music is a colorful blend of pop hooks, tight harmonies, and plenty of multi-layered guitars. A shade of gray with its fun upbeat vocals and powerful dark lyrics, overall a great combination.” - Kweevak.com Armed with a new lineup, drummer Mike B., bassist Imran, and guitarist Andrew, The Crayons are currently in the studio working with Ron and Bart of The Churchills on the highly anticipated follow up to “What Color Are You?” Between recording sessions The Crayons have been playing shows in the Northeast in preparation of their summer release. www.myspace.com/thecrayonpeople |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Vance Gilbert air date: Friday April 14th, 2007
UNFAMILIAR MOON is Vance Gilbert's most mature and realized recording to date. This is his most anticipated album, as it is jam-packed with songs that fall into "that" category of songwriting- the zenith for any writer – songs that elicit the response “You wrote that?” Consider “Ten Thousand Skies”, the opening cut, with it’s “Roy Orbison looking for Sam Cooke” feel. Follow that with the gentle heartaching in “You Can Go Now”, the hurt and hope of the medium rocker “Leaving Avon”, and the soulwrenching title cut, “Unfamiliar Moon”, Gilbert’s most requested song. “Unforgivable”is a jazz vocal tour-de-force that still maintains it acoustic roots with a great surprise soloist. There’s a lot of hope and redemption on this album too, in songs like the solo “Your Brighter Day”and the rollicking fun of the unedited “I’ve Got A Plane”. To round out this partial list, Gilbert closes with a haunting revisitation of his acoustic standard “Alone Down Here”. A perfect mix of lyrical eloquence and musical accessibility, this is less a recording and more like great performances captured on disc.
Vance Gilbert burst onto the singer/songwriter scene in the early 90's when the buzz started spreading in the folk clubs of Boston about an ex-jazz singer who was knocking 'em dead at open mikes. The word spread of this Philadelphia-area born and raised performer to New York; Shawn Colvin invited Vance Gilbert to be special guest on her Fat City tour. Gilbert took audiences across the country by storm ("With the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god, it was enough to earn him that rarity: an encore for an opener" wrote the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in it's review of a show from that tour). Gilbert's three albums for the Rounder/Philo label - EDGEWISE (1994), FUGITIVES (1995), and the celebrated, arrestingly sparse SHAKING OFF GRAVITY (1998)- are all essential additions to the American singer-songwriter collection. With guests as varied as Tuck and Patti, Jonatha Brooke, Patty Larkin, Dee Carstensen, Vinx, and Jane Siberry, all three albums found significant niches on NAC (New Adult Contemporary) and Non-Commercial A3 (Adult Album Alternative) radio. These discs were followed by the selfreleased SOMERVILLE LIVE (2000), his live recording lionized by the Boston Globe as the disc "young songwriters should study the way law students cram for bar exams", and ONE THRU FOURTEEN (2002), a stylistically varied tour de force that New York's Town and Village calls "lively, eclectic, electrifying and transcending.” Follow that with SIDE OF THE ROAD (2003), a duo album with Ellis Paul, lauded as “haunting, artful, and lovely" by Boston Magazine and nominated for a 2004 Boston Music Award. UNFAMILIAR MOON stands as a most impressive cap to this discography. This is Vance Gilbert at his most fearless, timeless, compelling best. These examples of classic songwriting, presented with deep humanism and bravery, stunning artistry and soul, and unbridled joy are inarguably the blue ribbons that tie and seal the seemingly impossibly package that is.............Vance Gilbert www.vancegilbert.com |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Anthony D'Amato (producer/director of Hedwig & The Angry Inch) air date: Thursday April 13th, 2007
The East German rock goddess herself, HEDWIG, has been seen on stages around the world, from Junction City to Japan, and is finally ready to TEAR UP Asbury Park! She has sold-out Sizzlers, standing room only at the Hometown Buffet and, at one time, Hedwig was the Featured Item at Waffle House Restaurants all over Kansas ("there's no place like home!")!
Behind her are the ambassadors of Eastern bloc rock, The Angry Inch, coming to NEW JERSEY for the first time with their original, post-punk, neo-glam music. www.myspace.com/hedwigasburypark |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Robin Renee air date: Thursday March 29th, 2007
If Robin Renée were to start a religion all her own, it might well hold Groupie Consciousness as its central tenet. She chases after the God/dess within with a reverence and fervor not unlike her passion for the music that moves her most- acts as disparate as Elvis Costello, Krishna Das, James Taylor, Gary Wilson, and Devo. Those in the know are realizing that Renée is worthy of just as much hot pursuit. Oh, and that religion? There'd also be lots of yoga, a strong belief in cartoon physics, a little sexiness, and zero dogma.
Such is the musical and magical world of Robin Renée. Her accessible tunes with a spiritual twist have forged her personal genre--Mantra-Pop! The seeds of her diverse influences can be uncovered therein, as well as a longtime focus on Eastern and eclectic mysticism, the mystery that cuts to the core of this powerful singer and wordsmith. At a live show today you might catch a solo acoustic set, a collaboration, or pure kirtan- a form of Hindu devotional chanting in Sanskrit, with which she finds deep resonance. Live Devotion (March 2007) is Renée's first recording dedicated wholly to sacred chant. Borne of one inspired recording session in October 2006, the seven long tracks evoke peace, passion, and the presence of Universal Love. With the sexy, rock feel of "Jai Ma" to the traditional "Sita Ram" to the fun, multi-part "Om Shanti Krishna," Live Devotion is a fresh take on an ancient tradition. Renée's previous offering, All Six Senses (2002), is the real-life chronicle of one caught in the act of cosmic transformation. Themes of love, seeking, and celebration emerge through a medium of edgy rock, accomplished singer/songwriter lyricism, pop hooks, and the sonic impact of chant. All Six Senses was produced by Scott Mathews, who has worked with artists as fabulous as George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Elvis Costello, Patti LaBelle and many more. Two of its tracks, "First Sight" and "Thursday Morning Afterglow" won Honorable Mentions in the 11th International Billboard Songwriting Contest. All Six Senses follows In Progress, Renée's full-length CD debut (2000), which was applauded in much alternative press across the U.S. She has often credited the sight of David Bowie in a dress with opening her eyes to transformation and expression. It was no doubt an inspiration, but Renée's real drive comes from within. She has battled through the wearying grip of depression, has been enveloped in the bliss of spiritual ecstasy, and lives to tell the tales. She is not afraid to listen to what the voices in her head tell her: Live for your truth, keep it real, and make music that matters. www.robinrenee.com |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Kosmic Daydream air date: Thursday February 28th, 2007 (in-studio guest)
Jen and Adam founded Kosmic Daydream in 2001. Their first several performances were as an acoustic duo. Since those humble beginnings, and with the addition of Jimmi Dylan and Jose Cruz, the band has evolved into an electrically charged musical juggernaut.
The band’s influences are a whirling, swirling, blend of British Blues (think Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, and The Kinks) with punk edginess (The Ramones, Blondie, and The Clash)… all the while carving out their own sound and style. Kosmic Daydream’s debut release, simply titled 'live', delivers a blend of edgy punk rock and swirling psychedelic blues… a veritable aural invasion of grand proportions. www.kosmicdaydream.com |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Kate Hart air date: Tuesday February 26th, 2007 (in-studio guest) All songs were written and sung by me. HUGE thank you to Dan from Mazeffect & Grover Kent for playing the drums, bass and some guitar parts on these songs, as well as for helping me record them through GarageBand. www.myspace.com/khartmusic Download the in-studio performance of "I kill bugs" (right click & "save as") |
 Readymade Breakup air date: Thursday January 11th, 2007 (in-studio guest) What we do is really quite unique. We start with a very catchy or memorable melody (referred to as the "chorus" or "hook"). We preface this "chorus" with somewhat more subdued melodic passages we call "verses". Oftentimes a "pre chorus" will be inserted between the two, for added emphasis of the "chorus". A "bridge" frequently precedes the final "chorus" for increased impact. Accompanying word groupings we call "lyrics" tend to provide some personal revelation, and usually retain some semblance of a "theme" from start to finish. We think this formula could be the start of something great. www.readymadebreakup.com |
 Nick Ferriero (Souls Release) air date: Thursday December 7th, 2006 (in-studio guest) Taking pride in its ability to rise from the ashes... Souls Release is a phoenix for its members. Founded in 2003, this New Jersey based indie band has been writing, recording, and performing music truly driven from inside. Following a lineup change in mid-2006, Souls Release was presented with the challenge to rise again. Stripping down to the pure essence of their songs, Nick Ferriero, Sean Calcamuggio, and Erik Brescher have forged forward... carrying on the tradition of SR rock. www.soulsrelease.com |
 Mike Ferraro air date: Tuesday December 5th, 2006 (in-studio guest) With a retooled power trio in tow, comprised of veteran Jersey indie rockers Ralph Capasso (ex-Hey Tiger) on drums and Jonathan Andrew (ex-Souls' Release) on bass, Mike Ferraro & the Young Republicans are poised to destroy as many stages, parking lots, and VFW halls as necessary in pursuit of indie rock domination. In the meantime Mike and Co. are working on material for upcoming releases on Victory Garden Records' Sides of Unequal Length (UK) and Italy's Best Kept Secret. www.mikeferraro.net |
 Joshua Van Ness air date: Thursday November 30th, 2006 (in-studio guest) "My music is "soul rock". I have been influenced by a lot of classic rock of the 60s & 70s and the alternative rock that ruled the airwaves during my early teens. Those influences have been balanced out by my love for soulful singers such as Prince, Dug Pinick, Chris Robinson, Van Hunt and others." - Joshua Van Ness www.purevolume.com/joshuavanness |
 Alex Brumel air date: Tuesday November 12th, 2006 The Jersey Shore's Alex Brumel is a 21-year-old singer/songwriter quickly making a name for himself in historic clubs like the Saint and The Stone Pony. Deeply rooted in the folk, rock, and blues traditions, his music is grounded in simple, vocally-driven storytelling. Alex's songs represent a new fusion of American roots elements, and his debut record is sure to please fans of Ryan Adams, Wilco, David Gray, Tom Petty, and the country-rock scene at large. www.alexbrumel.com |
|
Will Hoge air date: Thursday November 9th, 2006 Most performers are willing to follow whatever formulas or procedures they think worked for others. Will Hoge epitomizes an ideal for rock musicians: free-spirited and individualistic, knowledgeable of the past but not obsessed with it, and imminently capable of bringing renewed creative energy and passion to an idiom that sometimes seems devoid of inventiveness and edge. www.willhoge.com |
 Andy Liotta (Billie Burke Estate) air date: Thursday October 19th, 2006 Billie Burke Estate plays smart songs for grown-ups. Think of an upbeat Randy Newman, a mature Ben Folds, a secular Cat Stevens. The brainchild of Seattle multi-instrumentalist Andy Liotta, BBE combines the warmth and soulfulness of the early '70s with a modern lyrical sense that is literate and courageous. www.billieburkeestate.com |
 Mick Hale (Mod Fun) air date: Friday October 13th, 2006 Influenced by The Who, The Creation, Small Faces, and mostly The Action along with Syd's Pink Floyd, The Eyes and American Garage; MOD FUN released 2 Singles and 2 Albums from '84 thru '87 before calling it quits (originally) in April of 1987 after a turbulent European tour that brought them thru Switzerland, Germany (2x!), Italy, and Austria. In September of 2004, hot on the heels of what would've been their "20th anniversary" MOD FUN's live "reunion," went off without a hitch. www.modfun.com |
 Eli Miller (Zox) air date: Tuesday October 10th, 2006 ZOX might just be one of the hardest working bands in America. The foursome has emerged as a model of independence in the internet age; until recently they've managed themselves, booked their own tours, designed their own merchandise, run their own record label, and achieved that rare pinnacle of indie band success: making a living playing rock 'n' roll. The band has an uncanny ability to blend rock - from new wave to progressive, with ska, punk, balladry, and a bit of baroque into something highly original. www.zoxband.com |
 John Raido air date: Thursday October 5th, 2006 (in-studio guest) After a decade of working every gin joint in New Jersey as a journeyman rock ‘n’ roll sideman, John Raido introduced himself to the public with the melancholy See You Next Tuesday. It was followed by the far more accomplished and eclectic Turnin’ Round, which saw singer/songwriter Raido stepping out as frontman of the band Boxcar Nancy. The group’s playful blend of alt-country pop and wistful ballads won Raido a whole new audience, one which will undoubtedly shake their heads in wonder at the quantum leap he takes on the appropriately titled Act Two. www.johnraido.com |
 Chuck Penza (Somerdale) air date: Wednesday October 4th, 2006 Somerdale is on a mission to take over the world with insanely catchy, head-bobbing, foot-stomping, fist-pumping, hook-laden, sing-a-long tunes. Somerdale cleverly combines the gorgeous harmonies of The Beatles, the frenetic energy of The Who, the psychedelic aura of David Bowie, the slashing guitar rhythms of The Rolling Stones, the throbbing bass lines of KISS, and the unbridled joy of The Raspberries. www.somerdalemusic.com |
 The Majestic Twelve air dates: Wednesday September 13th, 2006 & Friday September 15th, 2006 (in-studio guests) Currently being praised by a plethora of critics, from mainstream media outlets like Blender.com to blogosphere tastemakers like Fake Jazz and Culture Bully, The Majestic Twelve's sophomore album Schizophrenology has been downloaded over 11,000 times since releasing independently for free in July. MySpace went so far as to give them a coveted featured band slot, and the hit singles Condoleezza Check My Posse, Break it and Breathe, and Thank God Everything on TV is A Lie are all currently in heavy rotation on college radio around the country, launching the disc to #1 in numerous markets. Schizophrenology is co-produced by Sullivan and Jerry Kee (Superchunk, Ryan Adams). www.themajestictwelve.com |
 Jay (Mazeffect) air dates: Tuesday September 12th, 2006 & Thursday September 14th, 2006 (in-studio guest) Mazeffect are Jay, Mel, and Dan. It's pronounced "maze-effect". Don't ask me to explain it, because I won't. We are too sarcastic for our own good. Formed in 2001, from the splinters of NJ pop-punkish band Slappy, as well as a death metal band that Dan would probably NOT want me to name. We tell people we sound like the Ramones, Replacements, and Black Flag. They tell us we sound like Husker Du or J Church. Go figure. Don't call us pop-punk or punk rock. You wouldn't want us to correct you by saying "We are a rock band, and we do what we want, punk or otherwise, slapnuts." www.mazeffect.net |
 Brian Vander Ark air date: Saturday September 9th, 2006 (in-studio guest) Massive success and its aftermath have sent many artists into oblivion, forever trying to recapture the moment when the world first bowed at their feet. That moment came for Brian Vander Ark when, as the principal songwriter and lead singer for The Verve Pipe, he scored a succession of Top Ten hits, ruled MTV and lived to stoke the star maker machinery. Brian's second solo album, "angel, put your face on" was self-released in 2006 to critical acclaim. www.bvamusic.com |
|
Kenyata Sullivan (The Majestic Twelve) air date: Thursday August 31st, 2006 Currently being praised by a plethora of critics, from mainstream media outlets like Blender.com to blogosphere tastemakers like Fake Jazz and Culture Bully, The Majestic Twelve's sophomore album Schizophrenology has been downloaded over 11,000 times since releasing independently for free in July. MySpace went so far as to give them a coveted featured band slot, and the hit singles Condoleezza Check My Posse, Break it and Breathe, and Thank God Everything on TV is A Lie are all currently in heavy rotation on college radio around the country, launching the disc to #1 in numerous markets. Schizophrenology is co-produced by Sullivan and Jerry Kee (Superchunk, Ryan Adams). www.themajestictwelve.com |
 Mark Kerr air date: Tuesday August 22nd, 2006 Mark Kerr picked up the guitar at the age of twelve and before long, he was receiving recognition for his musical abilities. Mark would eventually play with Percy Sledge and Curtis Mayfield's "Impressions." After thirteen years of touring Mark attended Northwestern State University where he studied music theory while working very diligently on his skills in jazz, rock and blues. Mark was nominated for Musician of the Year by the Academy of Texas Music in 2006,for his guitar work on One Drink Away From The Blues. www.markkerrltd.com |
|
Jon Caspi air date: Thursday August 10th, 2006 (in-studio guest) Jon Caspi has been a mainstay in the alternative college radio and NJ/NYC music scenes. He has been the lead voice and songwriter for nationally successful acts such as Bouncing Off Bob and Boss Gremlin, had his music featured on radio stations across the U.S, in films, and on MTV and the WB. Now, a resident of Monmouth County, NJ, Jon has been primarily involved in the great local scene. His CD, This Town, his debut solo album, was officially released in early 2005. It has been played on radio across the country, and is available for purchase now. On August 12th,2006 Jon released his follow-up to This Town, I'm Not Angry Anymore. www.joncaspi.com Download Jon's in-studio performance of "smile (song for my son)" (right click & "save as") |
 Curt Kirkwood air date: Tuesday July 18th, 2006 The Meat Puppets may very well be the "best-known underground band" of all time – which, of course, is a complete contradiction in terms. While arguably not a household name, they are often referred to as one of the most influential groups of the last two decades. And as the main force behind this acclaimed alternative rock band, Curt Kirkwood has been cited as a major musical inspiration by the likes of Kurt Cobain, Soul Asylum, and Pearl Jam. With the release of SNOW, Kirkwood steps out of a band context and makes his solo debut, putting his talent as a gifted singer/songwriter front and center in a more intimate setting. Here’s a modern day troubadour, writing and singing songs that reflect the world around him, filtered through his own idiosyncratic life vision … the "psychedelic" Woody Guthrie of his generation. www.curtkirkwood.com |
 Brian Vander Ark air date: Tuesday July 11th, 2006 Massive success and its aftermath have sent many artists into oblivion, forever trying to recapture the moment when the world first bowed at their feet. That moment came for Brian Vander Ark when, as the principal songwriter and lead singer for The Verve Pipe, he scored a succession of Top Ten hits, ruled MTV and lived to stoke the star maker machinery. Brian's second solo album, "angel, put your face on" was self-released in 2006 to critical acclaim. www.bvamusic.com |
 Jeff Daniels air date: Tuesday June 27th, 2006 "I’ve been writing songs for over thirty years. I don’t write hits. I don’t send out demos to famous singers. I just write songs. They’re my diaries. I had everything I’ve ever written in this big, black notebook. Some of them were typed, some were in long hand, but all of them had a time and a place that marked some moment in my life. If you really wanted to get to know me, you’d find me in there." - Jeff Daniels www.jeffdaniels.com |
 Chapa air date: Tuesday April 18th, 2006 Chapa... Performance artist/musicians based out of Los Angeles, California... A sound best described as experimental folk with a classic approach and instrumentation... "Experimental Storytelling. Tales woven through the Lives and Eyes of this Life" -- Lou Lewis... www.chapamusic.com |
 Brendan Brown (Wheatus) air date: Tuesday April 4th, 2006 Long Island, NY, singer/guitarist/songwriter Brendan B. Brown put together the quartet Wheatus as a vehicle for his witty, energetic rock songs, beginning with his brother, Peter Brown, on drums and adding multi-instrumentalist Phil A. Jimenez and bassist Rich Leigey (replaced in July 2000 by Mike McCabe). The group recorded their self-titled debut album in the Brown home, producing it themselves, and it was released by Columbia Records in August 2000; the album was preceded by the single "Teenage Dirtbag," which was featured in the film Loser. The week of the album's release, Wheatus embarked on their first national tour with labelmates Zebrahead. The band later departed Columbia to release 2005's Suck Fony. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide www.wheatus.com |
|
Will Hoge air date: Thursday March 30th, 2006 Most performers are willing to follow whatever formulas or procedures they think worked for others. Will Hoge epitomizes an ideal for rock musicians: free-spirited and individualistic, knowledgeable of the past but not obsessed with it, and imminently capable of bringing renewed creative energy and passion to an idiom that sometimes seems devoid of inventiveness and edge. www.willhoge.com |
|
Andy Liotta (Billie Burke Estate) air date: Thursday March 16th, 2006 Billie Burke Estate plays smart songs for grown-ups. Think of an upbeat Randy Newman, a mature Ben Folds, a secular Cat Stevens. The brainchild of Seattle multi-instrumentalist Andy Liotta, BBE combines the warmth and soulfulness of the early '70s with a modern lyrical sense that is literate and courageous. www.billieburkeestate.com |
 Fred LeBlanc(Cowboy Mouth) air date: Thursday February 23rd, 2006 For more than 15 years, the members of Cowboy Mouth have embraced, embodied, preached and shouted at the top of their lungs the joys of their hometown, sharing a slice of Mardi Gras heaven with fans around the world on 11 recordings and at their legendary live shows, which to date have been witnessed by more than 8 million and captured best by Cake magazine when it noted: "...on a bad night they’ll tear the roof off the joint and on a good night they’ll save your soul." And the release of Voodoo Shoppe this February, like this year’s Mardi Gras, will signify a revival of spirits for the band and their fans, as well as a resurrection of sorts, of the free-spirited music that has always been intrinsic to both Cowboy Mouth and their city. www.cowboymouth.com |