Listening Lyrics

Maxwell Riley, a Davis-based multi-instrumentalist and producer, writes music that ranges from psychedelic jazz fusion to cosmic space funk. Max is inspired by acts like Jeff Beck, Steely Dan, Nile Rogers, Dire Straits, and Pink Floyd, to name a few, and has been producing music since the 6th grade.

Nat Lefkoff is a musician "dedicated to distilling the human condition," his website biography says. "He will disarm you with a modest demeanor as his tectonic voice shifts your consciousness alongside his skillfully crafted lyrics. His acclaimed songs 'Great White Planes' and 'Damn' show off the honesty, vulnerability and intensity of his lyrics and enchanting performance style. The warm tone of his voice sweeps from an understated whisper to an erupting volcano. His performances are a visceral experience that pull at your heart until it surrenders. Nat's music is more than a collection of chords and sincere words, it is the experience of life, masterfully articulated into song."

On this show we dive into pop  music -- its definition, and examples of a whole bunch of current and past pop hits.

Boca do Rio is the second band to be awarded the annual Davis Independent Music Initiative, or DIMI, grant. The committee that awarded it to them included last year’s winner, Davis musician Joel Daniel, of the Hoots. The grant is part of an annual effort to boost Davis’s music scene by providing one local band with funding. Daniel’s hope is that it offers musicians who might otherwise seek a career in Sacramento or the Bay Area the support they need to foster their talents closer to home. Check out this article from the SN&R (Sacramento News and Review)

We wrap up this show playing a Led Zeppelin song as interpreted by the Alex Jenkins Trio. Here is a review of their new album by All About Jazz magazine.

Boca do Rio was the second band to be awarded the annual Davis Independent Music Initiative (DIMI) grant, in 2021. The committee that awarded it included the 2020 winner, Davis musician Joel Daniel of the Hoots, reported the Sacramento News and Review in July 2021: "The grant is part of an annual effort to boost Davis’s music scene by providing one local band with funding. Daniel’s hope is that it offers musicians who might otherwise seek a career in Sacramento or the Bay Area the support they need to foster their talents closer to home." Applications for the 2022 grant are due by April 1.

We wrap up this show playing a Led Zeppelin song as interpreted by the Alex Jenkins Trio. Here is an All About Jazz review of their newest album, Tri-Cycle, from 2021.

Joel Daniel joins us this week to review the 2022 DIMI and City of Davis grant to a Davis based musician. For more details visit the Davis Independent Music Inintiative at Davisimi.com. Music from Boot Juice, Lillian Francis, Joel Daniel, Racquetbangers, Max Riley, Stompin' Tom Connors

Joel Daniel joins us this week to review the 2022 Davis Independent Music Initiative and City of Davis grant to a Davis-based musician. For more details, visit the DIMI grant page. Plus we have music from Boot Juice, Lillian Francis, Joel Daniel, Racquetbangers, Max Riley, and Stompin' Tom Connors.

Ukraine has been in the news for weeks now. Let's see what are some of the most-listened-to songs are this week, on the radio, in Ukraine.

Plus music from the Alex Jenkins Trio, Boca Do Rio, Giant Rooks and AnnenMayKantereit, Gang of Youths, John and Yoko Lennon.

Playing a selection of Protest Songs based on an article from the online magazine Paste.

This is a show for the books. By "the books," I mean the novel called The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce. We follow the story in music, and yes, I will be comparing Aretha Franklin and Beethoven.