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Fund Drive Special: “Ancestors” and Chicago Raids
On this Hard Knock Radio episode, Davey D opens with “Ancestors” by guest Miko Marks, framing her long road to wider recognition as audiences rediscover Southern Soul, Americana, and country through mainstream moments—from Beyoncé’s country pivot to Ryan Coogler’s recent work. Marks traces her journey from a 2005 traditional country debut to an expansive roots blend—blues, gospel, folk, jazz—after shedding industry boxes that once demanded a narrow look and sound. She recalls being one of only a few Black women positioned in country at the time (alongside Reese Palmer) and how labels subtly pitted artists against each other. Maturity, friendship, and craft ultimately refocused her on finding her own lane.
The conversation pivots to The Nine Lives of Barbara Dane, the award-winning documentary for which Marks will perform. She sees kinship with Dane—another Midwestern artist who fused art and activism, genre freedom, and courage in hostile times. Marks explains how political honesty enters her songs naturally, citing “Goodnight America,” a lullaby for the nation’s transgressions that some misread as anti-American. For her, it’s about acknowledgement, healing, and renewal. That theme flows into “Lay Your Burdens Down,” a response to today’s weight of hypocrisy and uncertainty, urging shared lifting of collective pain.
Asked about country music’s receptivity to social commentary, Marks says the genre has grown but still struggles with “good-old-boy” biases and gender inequity. She welcomes Beyoncé’s country album for spotlighting young Black women—broadening who gets seen and heard. After stepping away from recording for 14 years—an act of resistance against industry games—Marks returned on her own terms, prioritizing audience connection and artistic freedom. She’s now preparing a traditional blues project (including a Christmas blues cut), underscoring that country and blues differ less in substance than in marketing; both are rooted in Black musical traditions. Davey D echoes Herbie Hancock’s line: at day’s end, it’s all Black expression. Marks closes by honoring her own ancestors—many of her family have passed—and inviting listeners to the Nine Lives of Barbara Dane screening at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater.
Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.
The post Fund Drive Special: “Ancestors” and Chicago Raids appeared first on KPFA.
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On this Hard Knock Radio episode, Davey D opens with “Ancestors” by guest Miko Marks, framing her long road to wider recognition as audiences rediscover Southern Soul, Americana, and country through mainstream moments—from Beyoncé’s country pivot to Ryan Coogler’s recent work. Marks traces her journey from a 2005 traditional country debut to an expansive roots blend—blues, gospel, folk, jazz—after shedding industry boxes that once demanded a narrow look and sound. She recalls being one of only a few Black women positioned in country at the time (alongside Reese Palmer) and how labels subtly pitted artists against each other. Maturity, friendship, and craft ultimately refocused her on finding her own lane.
The conversation pivots to The Nine Lives of Barbara Dane, the award-winning documentary for which Marks will perform. She sees kinship with Dane—another Midwestern artist who fused art and activism, genre freedom, and courage in hostile times. Marks explains how political honesty enters her songs naturally, citing “Goodnight America,” a lullaby for the nation’s transgressions that some misread as anti-American. For her, it’s about acknowledgement, healing, and renewal. That theme flows into “Lay Your Burdens Down,” a response to today’s weight of hypocrisy and uncertainty, urging shared lifting of collective pain.
Asked about country music’s receptivity to social commentary, Marks says the genre has grown but still struggles with “good-old-boy” biases and gender inequity. She welcomes Beyoncé’s country album for spotlighting young Black women—broadening who gets seen and heard. After stepping away from recording for 14 years—an act of resistance against industry games—Marks returned on her own terms, prioritizing audience connection and artistic freedom. She’s now preparing a traditional blues project (including a Christmas blues cut), underscoring that country and blues differ less in substance than in marketing; both are rooted in Black musical traditions. Davey D echoes Herbie Hancock’s line: at day’s end, it’s all Black expression. Marks closes by honoring her own ancestors—many of her family have passed—and inviting listeners to the Nine Lives of Barbara Dane screening at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater.
Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.
The post Fund Drive Special: “Ancestors” and Chicago Raids appeared first on KPFA.