Broken Buttons: Buried Treasure Music Stories

In this episode, her self-titled debut was the first official release on David Geffen’s star-making Asylum Records. While she crafted some of the most beautifully bizarre music of the 70s singer-songwriter era, her work is still largely unknown. This episode is all about Judee Sill. The incredible music she made and the sad, tragic—at times, shocking and unbelievable— life she led. The first part of the episode tells Judee's story and the second part breaks down her influences, who she influenced and what's happening with her music today. For fans of Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Brian Wilson, Bach, the Laurel Canyon music scene, 70s singer-songwriters. Check out links, photos and video at brokenbuttons.com. @brokenbuttons0 on Twitter and Instagram.

The Fanny episode of Broken Buttons was the most popular to date. I heard from so many people who were newly introduced to this phenomenal 70s all-female pioneering powerhouse. In this special bonus follow up episode, I speak with Dr. Kristen Hillaire Glasgow, historian by trade, host of the Get Behind Fanny podcast and the daughter of Fanny’s manager, Roy Silver. It was such an interesting, fun discussion. We talk about Fanny myths and misconceptions (including some information that I got wrong), the new Fanny documentary, Kristen's childhood memories with Fanny, what's next for the band and much more. 

FULL EPISODE WITH ENTIRE SONGS AVAILABLE ON SPOTIFY PREMIUM. Episode five of Broken Buttons pays tribute to two artists who have consistently released excellent material for over two decades and they're both still going strong. "Side A" features Eleni Mandell, a Los Angeles singer-sonwriter with smoky Chrissie Hynde vocals and a Tom Waits and P.J. Harvey influenced flair for experimentation and genre-shifting. For fans of Tom Waits, P.J. Harvey, Chuck E. Weiss, Sam Phillips, Inara George, X, Lucinda Williams. "Side B" highlights the career of Jean Grae, one of the best and most gifted emcees ever, as well as a true polymath and all-around super hero when it comes to writing, directing, producing and comedy-ing. For fans of Mr. Lif, Talib Kweli, Queen Latifah, 9th Wonder, Mr. Len, Quelle Chris, Lupe Fiasco. Check out links, photos and videos at brokenbuttons.com. Listen on Spotify Premium or Mixcloud to hear full songs, otherwise short clips are played for educational purposes. @brokenbuttons0 on Twitter and Instagram.

FULL EPISODE WITH ENTIRE SONGS AVAILABLE ON SPOTIFY PREMIUM. Episode four of Broken Buttons has a mystery Beatles inspired theme. "Side A" features Emitt Rhodes, who made some of the best Paul McCartney records that McCartney himself never made. He also led The Merry-Go-Round and crafted some of the greatest pop songs that more people should've heard. For fans of Paul McCartney & Wings, Harry Nilsson, Badfinger, Todd Rundgren, The Zombies, The Byrds. "Side B" investigates the mysterious case of the band Klaatu. The band's debut record was rumored to be the secretly reunited Beatles comeback. Was it? For fans of The Beatles, The Kinks, Frank Zappa, Yes, The Moody Blues, Supertramp, ELO. Check out links, photos and videos at brokenbuttons.com. Listen on Spotify Premium or Mixcloud to hear full songs, otherwise short clips are played for educational purposes. @brokenbuttons0 on Twitter and Instagram.

FULL EPISODE WITH ENTIRE SONGS AVAILABLE ON SPOTIFY PREMIUM. Episode three of Broken Buttons covers two more acts that need to be heard. "Side A" features P.P. Arnold, a fantastic soul vocalist who got her start as a backup singer for Ike and Tina Turner, and then went on to find success in the U.K. as a solo artist. Her masterpiece third album was buried for over forty years! For fans of Mary Clayton, Tina Turner, Maxine Brown, Dusty Springfield, The Rolling Stones, The Small Faces, Nick Drake, Steve Marriott, Darlene Love. "Side B" spotlights The Fabulous Poodles, a hard to classify U.K. band that combine elements of new wave, pub rock, roots rock and an off-the-wall sense of humor to great effect. Oh, and their stage show includes exploding ukuleles a talk-box violin. For fans of Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Graham Parker, Squeeze, The Jam, Madness, The Kinks. Check out links, photos and videos at brokenbuttons.com. Listen on Spotify Premium or Mixcloud to hear full songs, otherwise short clips are played for educational purposes. @brokenbuttons0 on Twitter and Instagram.

FULL EPISODE WITH ENTIRE SONGS AVAILABLE ON SPOTIFY PREMIUM. Episode two of Broken Buttons once again features two under-appreciated artists from different genres and eras. "Side A" focuses on Fanny, the first all female rock band signed by a major label to release full length albums. Active from the late 60s to the mid 70s, they wrote the songs, they played their instruments masterfully and they absolutely rocked. For fans of The Runaways, Haim, Faces, The Rolling Stones, The Bangles, The Go-Go's, Hole, Sleater-Kinney, Heart, The Donnas. "Side B" digs into acclaimed country singer-songwriter Laura Cantrell. Nashville-born and New York based, Cantrell is an authentic classic country throwback. She's also an excellent DJ and a Kitty Wells fanatic. For fans of Amy Allison, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Loretta Lynn, Superchunk, Patsy Cline, Iris DeMent, Neko Case, They Might Be Giants, WFMU. Check out links, photos and videos at brokenbuttons.com. Listen on Spotify Premium or Mixcloud to hear full songs, otherwise short clips are played for educational purposes. @brokenbuttons0 on Twitter and Instagram.

FULL EPISODE WITH ENTIRE SONGS AVAILABLE ON SPOTIFY PREMIUM. Episode one of Broken Buttons features two under-appreciated artists from different genres and eras. "Side A" focuses on Chicago power pop band Green, Started in the mid-80s by Jeff Lescher, chief songwriter and only consistent member, Green were touted the next big thing, but somehow never broke through. For fans of Cheap Trick, Big Star, The Replacements, R.E.M., The dB's, Husker Du, The Bangles, T. Rex, Fountains of Wayne, Teenage Fanclub, Sloan. "Side B" tells the story of underrated Philadelphia soul legend Howard Tate, who had R&B chart success in the late '60s and then vanished. For fans of Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson, Al Green, Wilson Pickett, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Lloyd Price, Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan, Percy Mayfield, northern soul/rare soul. Check out links, photos and videos at brokenbuttons.com. Listen on Spotify Premium or Mixcloud to hear full songs, otherwise short clips are played for educational purposes. @brokenbuttons0 on Twitter and Instagram.