Listening Lyrics

Heads up: This live recording comes with a few “authentic” technical hiccups (let’s call it character, not static). Luckily, the enthusiasm more than makes up for it—it practically jumps through the speakers.

In the studio with me are Richard Jia and Gray  Eby of MyDavisCalifornia, chatting—sometimes loosely, sometimes wildly off-track—about their website and the quirky little town we all love, Davis.

Now, this isn’t your average “local blog where someone posts about their cat and favorite burrito joint.” Nope. MyDavisCalifornia is a full-on content playground: stories, visuals, collaborations, insider tips—the works. Born in 2021 out of sheer enthusiasm (and possibly too much coffee), it’s become the digital buddy you didn’t know you needed for exploring Davis.

Davis only has 65,000 residents, but some of the videos have been viewed well into the millions. How’s that for a statement? (That’s like every resident watching—and then rewatching—about 30 times. Talk about town spirit.)

The brains behind it?  UC Davis alumni—Richard Jia and Gray Eby—who somehow turned their Aggie pride into a website that makes the rest of us wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

Pieter

Spend an hour with David Abramson and you’ll walk away feeling lighter, brighter, and a little more in love with the world. A fixture in Davis, David wears many hats—musician, activist, music teacher—but none of them fully capture his easy warmth and boundless optimism. He radiates joy in the most natural way, turning everyday moments into acts of connection. In this episode, David dives into his music, the mission behind his activism, and the heart he brings to teaching. It’s an hour of conversation that feels like a song you want to play again.

From Portland, Ore., to the heart of New Orleans—Ari Kohn followed his musical compass all the way south. In New Orleans, he discovered that music isn’t just heard, it’s felt. It’s in the ground beneath your feet, in the way people move, even in the rain on your skin. And yes—the food plays right along.

This week on Listening Lyrics, Ari shares that journey. A Jazz Studies graduate from Tulane, Ari—known on stage as “Ariel”—brings a bold, warm sound on sax, flute, and vocals. Ari also performs with the band Brass Lightning. He will perform with J & The Causeways Sept. 19, 2025 at the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco.

I usually say, never start a summary with an apology. But today, I’ll make an exception. I want to apologize for not properly introducing this week’s show at the beginning of the program.

That said, this week’s episode took a powerful turn. Ray Keck joined me for an hour of reflection on the tragic consequences of war—especially its toll on innocent children. The conversation was sparked by the news of Chuck Mangione’s passing. Listening to his album Children of Sanchez led us into this moving hour of reflection through music.

Here's the playlist.