Episodes
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The Beatles confidently proclaimed that âLove is all you needâ during the summer of - well, you know - love (1967). And while no one can argue with the fabsâ proclamation, the 21st century finds human beings on a search to define exactly what love is and how it can mean so many different things to just as many people. We each have our own love language, but just like everything else on planet Earth, itâs our individual perceptions of those feelings that sometimes cause our miscommunications.
Enter Suzanne Jamieson who has released a string of albums that arenât exactly childrenâs music, theyâre more like bundles of concepts and catchy music appropriate for the whole family. Her newest album is titled Love Is... and explores varied paradigms of love, providing context for each exploration backed with a purely pop production provided by co-producer and co-writer - and three time Grammy nominee - Jason Rabinowitz who himself has been recognized for his work with his childrenâs group, The Pop Ups.
So, hang out with Suzanne and I as we discuss her new album, performing for a diverse audience and a few special friends that she and I have in common. We can all agree that love is all we need, but letâs take a moment with Suzanne to explore exactly what love is. -
There has been tremendous growth in the topic of vinyl records and record collecting over the last decade or so. There are podcasts (like this one), articles, and video channels dedicated to folks who blab about their treasured collections, and then there are those who shout from the rooftops about new releases the minute the news gets out. But what about holding a face-to-face conversation with another person about our beloved discs? When was the last time you looked someone directly in the eye and engaged in some good old analog repartee?
If youâre going to chit chat with an individual about this topic, then Corey duBrowa should be at the top of your list. After years of writing about music for publications like Rolling Stone, and GQ, he no doubt commands a strong understanding of the subject matter. Thatâs not to mention the other exciting side of his career: a world of global corporate communications for many brands and companies that would be familiar to you. Like all good communicators, he has focused his interest on a brand new book that heâs written exploring the format of the EP. Itâs titled, An Ideal for Living: A Celebration of the E.P. â Extended Play (Hozac Books) and it contains a history of the unique format coupled with reflections about noteworthy EP releases through the ages from his many friends and colleagues.
While our conversation via video featured me holding up many of the albums weâre discussing, you - dear listener - are relegated to using your imagination to fill in some of the blanks. Iâm confident youâll catch on. The discussion youâre about to hear is quick-witted, exciting, and chock full of absorbing details and anecdotes. This talk with Corey was a delight and Iâm certain that youâll have as much fun as I did by just listening. -
Episodes manquant?
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Itâs not everyday that one gets to speak with âThe Most Beautiful Woman in Norwayâ - according to Elle Norway - but thatâs just a bi-product of the fact that this episodeâs guest is a multifaceted personality who has made successful inroads in the music, fashion, and modeling industries.
Maya Vik is a Norwegian bassist, songwriter and singer who - in addition to her previously mentioned skillset - is also infatuated with a sound thatâs very near and dear to my nostalgic heartstrings: the late 80s and early 90s. Her newest release, Hustlebot leans strongly on the FM offerings of those years and achieves a compelling simulacrum of a time when youngsters clad in Guess jeans roamed Americaâs sprawling shopping malls.Maya - of course - infuses her own Nordic spin into the sound.
So, join us and find out more about how she juggles her many talents, the path that led her to the bass guitar, how she connected with the excellent producer, Initial Talk, and what her next plans are. Given Mayaâs history so far, thereâs no telling what surprises are in store. -
Thereâs nothing like the sound of an old Motown record. Whether you hear it in your hometown of Detroit, or turn it up in Kathmandu; it doesnât matter, the music is great regardless of location and - truth be told - those recordings are inimitable. One could say they encapsulate a certain time and place, but that wouldnât be fair to the level of sorcery that was achieved in Motownâs studios during their hey-day. It wasnât just music they were creating, instead it was an almost existential sound; sure, go ahead: they made magic.
Motownâs catalog is vast and while much of it has been grafted onto the American experience of the 60s and 70s, there are many recordings that still wait to be re-discovered by music lovers and record collectors. Elemental Music was founded by Jordi Soley in Barcelona in 2012 and is best known as a jazz reissue label. Recently, however, theyâve been given the opportunity to reissue a significant chunk of the Motown catalog. Achieving this keeps these important Motown milestones in print, but the label is also committed to doing it right so these releases proudly represent the timeless grooves located within their cardboard sleeves.
Joining me on this episode from Elemental is Kevin Keeley. Together, we discuss the process that Elemental is undertaking to bring these eternal tunes to a new generation of vinyl lovers. In a nutshell, this show is a guy from Ireland who works for a record company in Barcelona talking to a fella in New Jersey about music made in Detroit more than half a century ago. If that doesnât show the worldwide, timeless appeal of Motownâs music, then I donât know what to tell you. -
Itâs not easy to be consistent in show business, to continually release albums and to perform at a high caliber at all times. However, some musicians have the ability to hand in strong works through most of their careers. There are performers who have built lifelong bonds with their dedicated fans because of these reasons.
Raul MidĂłn is one of those artists and he has recently released a strong new album titled, Lost and Found which finds the multi-instrumentalist experimenting with and exploring several different genres and voices. And - if my data is correct - although heâs released albums since his first solo release in 1999, this is the first time one of his records has been released on vinyl.
This is fitting, too, as Raul joins me soon after participating in this yearâs Making Vinyl conference which took place in Nashville, TN. As youâll hear, at the conference, Raul found a new appreciation for vinyl, not just from the auditory point of view, but through other facets that youâll soon learn about. One way to remain as consistent as MidĂłn has over the years is to continue to challenge yourself to create the best work possible. In this interview, Raul will share a little bit of his process of doing just that. -
Andy Summers, renowned as the influential guitarist of the Police, reveals a multifaceted creative persona that extends far beyond music. He openly embraces his diverse interests, seamlessly integrating them much like he does with his guitar, weaving them into a cohesive tapestry that defines his prolific body of work.
While the guitar remains his primary artistic tool, Andy's pursuits extend to photography with his Leica camera and creative writing with a keyboard. His latest endeavor, The Cracked Lens + A Missing String tour, ingeniously merges these passions together. Here, Andy not only performs music but intertwines his photographic art and narratives, transcending a mere recapitulation of his greatest hits. It's a testament to his belief in the evolution of artistic expression in order to engage varied audiences with his restless visions.
In our discussion, guitars naturally take center stage alongside anecdotes from his iconic Police days; we even muse about guitar hunting. Yet, our focus remains forward-looking. Andy reflects on a journey marked by towering achievements and vast experiences, but he is now afforded the luxury to discover recurring themes and seek the synchronicity in his life's narrative. -
Becoming who we are takes years. Our personality develops long before we're aware of it. Some of us are more comfortable with ourselves than others, but generally, we understand our own identity and hope that we grasp how others perceive us - that part can be a challenge. Given the chance to be someone else, who would you choose? How would you be different? What rules would you break if you werenât yourself?
In music, alter egos are common. Bowieâs Ziggy and The Beatlesâ Sgt. Pepper Band are famous examples. Today, newer artists, like Aiden Berglund, explore their art without the name they were ascribed at birth. Aiden, under the pseudonym Grimson, has recently released his debut album, Climbing Up the Chimney. The record blends rock and roll with a touch of the baroque.
Join me and Aiden in Germany as we delve into his past and how it shapes his present. Itâs a chance for him to reveal the person behind the performer, to shed light on his new album's songs and his creative journey. Perhaps you will be inspired to consider who you would become if you were someoneâor somethingâelse. That other you might be a more significant part of you than you realize. -
Multitasking is a popular trend in musicianship today, but, like in other aspects of life, it has its critics. Those against multitasking argue that the human brain performs best when focused on one task at a time. Just because we can multitask doesnât mean itâs the most effective approach. What if we devoted all our time and energy to a single pursuit instead?
Molly Miller embodies this principle through her lifelong dedication to the guitar. Proficient in its complexities, she not only creates music with the instrument but also shares her expertise with others. Her latest album, The Ballad of Hotspur, created with her trio, showcases her deep connection with 20th-century guitar music. With a jazzy, meticulously composed finesse, the album also highlights her role as a guitar instructor at USCâs Thornton School of Music.
Also explored is Mollyâs upcoming tour with Jason Mraz, with whom she serves as guitarist, and her experiences managing her various guitar-related endeavors. The release party for her album is set for Sunday, June 16, at the Jazz Lounge in San Diego, CA.
Instead of trying to do everything at once, letâs give Molly the same focused attention she gives to her guitar. -
When you reach a certain age, you get used to the experience of processing bad news or difficult times in your life. It may be hard to explain the consistency of that behavior as processing trauma is an amorphous experience, sometimes different things heal the wounds that life tosses at us at different times. Cancer is a particularly dark development in anyoneâs life or family and while medical treatments for the disease have come a long way over the years, there is plenty of sage wisdom out there that says our mindset plays a large role in recovery from the unwanted specter of cancer.
Donna Lewis is best known for her 1996 megahit, âI Love You Always Foreverâ which can still be heard frequently on radio dials and while wandering around your local drug store at 11 pm. At the time, it was a vivaciously bubbling love pop song with just the right amount of breathy spookiness to infiltrate a post-grunge world ready for new sounds in a new century.
In 2021, Donna hears the diagnosis that no one wants to receive, she had breast cancer and then embarked on a course of treatment that was - thankfully - ultimately successful. However, during days and nights that must have been hauntingly frightening, she found inspiration and therapeutic relief in composing music that illustrated her journey. The result is Rooms With a View which finds Lewisâ signature voice describing her experiences in an incredibly powerful way.
Join Donna and I as we discuss her latest album, her virtual work with producer and musician Holmes Ives, and whatâs coming up next in support of this album. As youâll learn during our chat, the music on Lewisâ new work got her through a tough time, but will most certainly be heard by other folks moving through their own difficult days. Donna may have made this album to help herself through the darkness, but itâs also there to comfort others, too. -
Itâs miraculous, really, that great new music is revealed to us each passing week; we need only to be open to exploring it to enjoy it. Thereâs nothing wrong with reveling in your favorite songs, artists and albums that are deemed classics by some listening community, but itâs continuing to explore new releases that really gets us thinking about music: both where itâs been and where itâs going and how new sounds might enrich our busy lives.
Thatâs when itâs fun to discover an artist like Liam Bailey who offers a slice of many of your favorite records on his newest release, Zero Grace, yet he maintains a voice that is all his own. Liam is not really a ânewâ artist, but his latest album is a bit of a rebirth. His first full release dates back to 2014 and jointly came out on the Sony Masterworks and Flying Buddah labels. But his latest album on the Big Crown label feels like a return to Baileyâs roots; a true representation of who he is rather than someone elseâs idea of who he should be.
And Liam wouldnât have things that way anyway. As youâll find in our chat, heâs his own man and he resists any temptation to avoid the truth; he approaches things head-on and makes no excuses. And for someone who is a music lover, and who appreciates a steadfast creator making music on their own terms, it can be an exciting experience to discover Liam Bailey. So, letâs do it! -
If youâre like most people, at 20 years old, youâre still figuring out who you are and what you want to do with your life. And thereâs nothing wrong with that, especially in todayâs day and age, young people now have the luxury of waiting just a little bit longer before they make up their mind to point their lives in a specific direction. However, like compounding interest in an investment, the longer you spend - and the earlier you get started in a particular thing - the sooner you become an expert and reap the compounding interest and dividends of your patience and time.
Joey Alexander may only be 20 years old this year, but heâs already got a dozen years of experience and success in the jazz world to lean upon. Seen as a wunderkind, Joey was born with an innate understanding - technically and emotionally - of jazz. After finding success in Europe, he gained further popularity and was showcased for a wider audience by Wynton Marsalis. Since then, heâs played for presidents, been featured on 60 Minutes, and is also the first Indonesian artist to have an album make the Billboard 200 chart.
While his young age may have been part of the package in selling his talents, at 20 years old, Alexander proves that - as he grows older - heâs got much more to say to his audience through the language of jazz. His latest album is titled, Continuance (Mack Avenue) and aside from showcasing his piano chops, it also highlights a fabulous composer in the making.
Much of the time, when I approach a guest on Radar, Iâm confident that I can find some unique topics to discuss. However, with Joey, I was sure heâd been asked everything I had in mind. We discussed his long/short career, his new album, whatâs coming next, and I might even dig up a topic or two that he hasnât been interviewed about yet. Joey Alexander has accomplished so much at a very young age; the most impressive takeaway of my time with him was excitement over what the next decade might bring. -
Going somewhere else is sometimes the only thing you can do to really find your true voice. And I donât mean taking a vacation or a daytrip. Moving from one state - or, coast - to another is a very adventurous move, but emigrating to another country to live is truly beyond what most of us might even consider doing. Can you imagine leaving your family and friends, everything you know in search of a new life? Looking for new employment opportunities? And donât forget that eternal search for love.
Chiara DâAnzieri left her hometown of Turin, Italy and ended up in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. Of course the relocation had to do with music, but we all know what would instigate such a bold move: love certainly played a part. When she was younger, Chiara spent time in her Italian homeland studying cello in conservatories. However, she was ready to create some rock and roll and her Italian heritage coupled with her classical background gave her a unique lens with which to make this a reality. All she needed now was a new stage name, a professional moniker: make that Santa Chiara: named after her favorite monastery in Naples, Italy.
And so she joins me on this episode to discuss her life and her latest record called, of course, Imported. The new album explores the immigration process from her point of view, but thereâs more here, too. Thereâs hope and light connected with the anxiety and excitement of finding oneâs way in a new country, not only is Santa Chiara finding her way around, learning how to fit in and stand out, but sheâs making great art out of it, too. As the saying goes, âWhen in Rome.â Or, in Chiaraâs case, itâs âwhen in Philly.â For now, at least. -
Thereâs a unique quality that actors and actresses bring to songwriting and musicianship. Oftentimes, they create works that lean heavily on the idea that the singer - or narrator - is a character. Of course, all musicians and songwriters do this to some extent, but thereâs another level of commitment when itâs done by a musician who also happens to be an actor.
Rebecca Pigeon is well-known in both worlds, as an actress and as a musician and songwriter. This year sheâs released her 11th full-length album titled, Songs of LA which explores the City of Anglesâ by simultaneously studying its daytime sunshine alongside the townâs hauntingly dark nights. Pidgeonâs long-time writing partner - David Batteau - worked on many of these songs with Rebecca before pandemic sidelined the project. Here, Rebecca fuses her acting chops with her songwriting and performing prowess.
Join Rebecca and I on this episode as she takes me on a journey through some of tinseltownâs creepiest back-alleys as we discuss her new album, her multifaceted career and how everything that glitters in La La Land isnât always gold. -
Itâs no secret that marriage is hard work. It requires heavy lifting by both partners to keep the boat afloat. Itâs labor, but of course, itâs a labor of love; thatâs what itâs all about. However, if you take the marriage and relationship deal and split it with a job in the entertainment business for both parties involved, well, now youâve really got a challenging situation with which to build a successful marriage.
Larry Campell and his wife Teresa Williams are no strangers to the road with plenty of frequent flier miles between them. Teresa has a long-time career as an actress, vocalist and musician which led her to meeting Larry, a long-time session musician whoâs resume includes a seven-year stint in Bob Dylanâs Never Ending Tour and being the musical director at Levon Helmâs popular Midnight Rambles in Woodstock, NY. Larry and Teresa were also both key parts of Levon Helmâs fantastic final albums, Dirt Farmer and Electric Dirt. Married in 1988, theyâve become a musical powerhouse over the years, so much so that their relationship and musical work was evidenced in a 10 part docuseries which can be found at some of your favorite streaming outlets.
Separately and together, theyâve both worked with many high-profile artists, but thereâs always something special in store when they work with each other. Larry and Teresa have just released their fourth album as a duo, itâs titled All This Time and features music and concepts that were born out of the pandemic era and Larryâs personal battle with Covid. On this episode, Iâm lucky to have both Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams join me to discuss the new record, highlights from their storied careers, and - of course - how two musicians make the music of marriage. -
Maybe Iâm a little guilty of nostalgia on this one, but arenât we all from time-to-time? When I look into the past with my rose-colored glasses on, they take me to that time of life when most people find themselves experiencing glowy memories of the past: high school. In my case, it was high school in the early to mid 1990s. As is true of every generation, there were certain songs that were inescapable during that time, some music that was simply a part of the cultural wallpaper.
Music that is ingrained to that extent into societyâs psyche can face both pros and cons. On one hand, the song is at risk of being overplayed and over consumed and of course, we all know what familiarity breeds. On the other hand, it's extraordinarily rare for a certain music to be considered definitive and infinitely attached to a particular place in time in human history. In 1997, Paula Cole released two iconic songs that had a significant generational impact. "I Don't Want to Wait" became a radio staple and gained immense popularity as the theme song for the popular TV show Dawson's Creek. "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone" became Cole's only top-ten hit in the US, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also earned Cole three Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Paula joins me on this episode to discuss her brand new album Lo, itâs her first batch of originals in a decade and it is a strong work that makes an occasional nod to her sound in the 90s, but showcases Cole as the forward-facing performer that she is. We discuss the new record, and learn about a few recording secrets from the 1990s and how some of those tricks of the trade worked their way into her recent production. We also explore the latest reissue of This Fire which was released last year in celebration of the albumâs 25th anniversary and talk about how - in many ways - those songs are as relevant as ever having been discovered by a new generation of listeners because - as youâll find out - good art may represent a certain generation, but it isnât anchored to it. Thatâs the feeling youâll get digging through the past, present and future of Paula Coleâs catalog. -
Often on this program, I interact with artists and creators, who do their best work when they are by themselves. Itâs in solitude that a musician often finds the freedom and flexibility to create just what it is they want to develop. However, there is surely something to be said about the chemistry between two people, two artists. When two musicians sit before one another and unite for the good of performing or recording one song, the tension can be palpable. Such a situation can reach Olympic level heights when the musical duel is between two experts in their field.
Lau Noah knew that for her next musical project she wanted to engage in this kind of intimate match-up. And so on her new album A Dos sheâs chosen to pursue musical conversation with some of her favorite artists, and what artists they are. Chris Thile, Jacob Collier and many more met with Lau to assist her to communicate with her audience the compositions that sheâs worked so hard to create.
Interestingly, as youâll learn by listening to our conversation, is how Noah was adamant about recording these tracks face-to-face rather than utilizing the remote technology that is so prevalent in todayâs music production. So, what you hear when you listen to her new record is that moment, that spark where two people meet and combine their forces into one.
One may be the loneliest number, as they say, but it sure can be helpful when a composer must concentrate on what theyâre overall artistic vision is. But, that solitude sometimes eschews the excitement and competition that can be found in a suitable partner. After all, it does take two to tango, doesnât it? -
What does it take to be epic? Many filmmakers and creators struggle to construct breathtaking spectacles for audiences that will allow them to escape into a transformative world that depicts events that would not normally be seen with human eyes. But what about the music? Once theyâve created the visual component, how do they find the right music to both compliment and even elevate the towering images that appear on your local IMAX theaterâs screens?
For many years, the industry has called upon Sam Nelson Harris and his band - X Ambassadors - to provide music for the soundtracks that are as compelling as your favorite comic book characterâs powers. Most recently, the band featured a song in the new Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom film, but they have also placed music in Transformers: The Last Knight, The Call of the Wild, Sonic the Hedgehog and Suicide Squad. Itâs the bandâs prodigious sound and production that make them the perfect choice for an enthralling cinematic display.
The voice you hear on these tracks belongs to the bandâs frontman Sam Nelson Harris who is also an actor, producer, and songwriter. On this episode Sam and I discuss how he and the band traverse the intersection between the music and film industries. We also discuss the bandâs forthcoming newest record, Townie which is slated to be released on April 5. Itâs easy to hear how Sam and I are both excited for this release to hit the shelves.
So, think big! Get into a larger-than-life mood and prepare to explore the process by which the huge sounds you hear on your favorite viewing screen usually just come from one person with an idea. The magic is in how that acorn is transformed into a towering Oak. Sam Nelson Harris shares his secrets about taking good ideas and molding them into something epic. -
Itâs always a pleasure to speak with musicians who seem to appreciate and absorb music on another level. Folks like this often see music in a way that regular music consumers might take for granted. After all, there is a real power in music, a force and strength that can alter our emotions in any which direction. Sometimes we forget this, and we just let the sounds that weâre listening to wash over us without thinking of the other dimensions that we might be missing. The last time I spoke with someone who had a great deal of intensity over this subject was Carlos Santana. On this episode, I speak with a close friend and collaborator of his - a multi-instrumentalist who is a particularly amazing drummer and a multi-Grammy-winning producer whose No. 1 chart successes include Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin and many others. Weâre talking about Narada Michael Walden.
Walden has a new album available, itâs called Euphoria and on it youâll hear his usual compositional and production craftsmanship, but youâll also get the opportunity to scroll through the contacts on his phone, because many of his musical pals make an appearance: Stevie Wonder, Sting, and - of course - Carlos Santana. Euphoria finds the ever positive Narada Michael Walden creating music to move your body, but that also aims to ignite your spirit.
So, stop taking your music for granted. Especially that pop stuff you love to listen to with the windows down and your hair blowing in the breeze. Thereâs a reason that you feel that freedom in your soul while youâre driving to your grueling 9-5; itâs because the music that elevates you was crafted by folks who really care about how those tunes are to exist within the dimension you inhabit. You can thank guys like Michael Narada Walden for fusing his musical chops with his spiritual enlightenment to create a mini-vacation for you to take anytime you choose. -
How do you feel about karma? Do you think what goes around comes around? Is that really the way of the world, or does it just seem that way? Perhaps weâre getting a start thatâs a bit too deep, but the natural order of things has a way of following a mysterious pattern. You might see some of these things in your day-to-day activities, but sometimes a story invites you to consider how the design of our lives can be investigated, every so often, it arrives musically.
Avram Brown is the key composer and performer in a project titled the Wheel which focuses on his musical and personal journey and how heâs come - yes, you guessed it - âfull circleâ with many aspects of his life. You can call it a psychedelic project, but itâs more than that: itâs introspective, but also makes some attempts at looking outward, somewhere into the great beyond. If thatâs too much for you, then just know that the music is darned good! Weâll also explore the friends who helped Avi complete this project which include Blitzen Trapperâs Eric Earley, violist/arranger Kyleen King (Brandi Carlile, The Decemberists), and recording engineer Larry Crane (Elliott Smith).
So, sit down with Avram and me and take the interdimensional journey, if you choose, or just go along for the ride. Youâll find that thereâs a lot of preparation - productionwise, and personally - that goes into growing a body of work that explores our existential complexities. How does the wheel spin in your life, does it move forward, or backward? If you had to set it to music, how would it sound? Avram Brownâs wheel sounds like this. -
Itâs one thing to love vinyl records and to enjoy listening to them, most people stop there. But, you might even go a step further and truly embrace vinyl culture and become a serious collector, there are plenty of those folks, too. But itâs a whole other ball of wax to learn the ins and outs of actually creating discs and becoming involved in the manufacturing process. Thatâs just what Dustin Blocker has done.
Originally, Dustin was a musician who soon turned his attention to the record label industry by founding North Texas-based artist-centric record label Hand Drawn Records in 2011. A few years later, in 2014, he started Hand Drawn Pressing as the vinyl record manufacturing arm for the company. Dustin is Chief Creative Officer of Hand Drawn Records and Hand Drawn Pressing.
Just before the pandemic hit, Dustin became interested in what other vinyl manufacturers were doing to make their businesses run at their peak levels. Instead of being suspicious of his competition, Dustin - with a few other manufacturers - created a vinyl manufacturing collective known as The Vinyl Record Manufacturers Association (the VRMA) which is a professional trade association of independent businesses committed to the craft of vinyl record manufacturing through collaboration, advocacy, standardization, and education. Blocker currently serves as the group's president.
So, if youâd like a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes workings of the vinyl industry, keep listening as Dustin and I talk about the viability of vinyl as a long-term audio product, how manufacturing of vinyl has - and hasnât - changed over the last century and how the industry works together to ensure that the polyvinyl chloride discs that we love of are of a sustainably high-quality for years to come. - Montre plus
