Recorded April 30th, 2022

To put it simply, Mayyadda is a vibe. We had this interview after she had been up all night from a gig in Duluth with her band, drove her drummer to catch a flight, and make it back to the cities and still have this conversation with me. Not only that, but within the first few minutes asked me if it was ok to swear on the program, which to me is a huge sign of respect even though we had just met.

I first heard about Mayyadda through producer Andre Mariette. After catching a track he had produced of hers, I did like any good music nerd does nowadays and played through the albums on my streaming service. A few of her songs, including Cinammon and Same Room, got stuck in my head after a few play throughs. This being just before I started the podcast, she was certainly on my list of "artists who I hope will say yes" to an interview.

A daughter of Liberian refugees who fled from the civil war, she had to find her own way coming up from a more traditional Catholic background. Her voice has always been strong, and was strenghtened through choirs while also learning piano at an early age (starting at 2!).  This was carried on through her attendance at Duke University where her vocal group, Rhythm & Blue, was where a lot of her time was spent learning to work with a group. Nearing the end of college she came to a crossroads, a desk job just would not be a path Mayyadda could pursue without giving up a big part of herself or taking a chance on herself with music. With the aid of friends and producer Don Strong she was able to record her first studio album and light up a path that was really meant for her.

As I mention in the intro, I stumble a little in this conversation but it is still an important one to have. There were a number of other questions I still had, like how the writing and recording process is leading up to and during recording, working with multiple producers..but perhaps I can ask in person.

Check out Dessa's podcast, Deeply Human, the Sad Music episode to hear some more thoughts on emotions in music from Mayyadda.

Here is also the article I reference in the interview: https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/singer-songwriter-mayyadda-explores-new-sound-and-shows-black-musicians-are-not-a-monolith/

Track List: Black Girl Magic (Acoustic Remix 2022), Human (Holding Space), Cracked Chest (Try&Remember), Yesterdays to Tomorrows (Try&Remember), Sick and Tired (Holding Space), Same Room (eightynine) Soul (Try&Remember)

Links:

Linktr.ee/mayyadda

Instagram: @mayyadda

Tiktok: mayyadda8

mayyadda.bandcamp.com

If you have any thoughts feels free to hit me up at the email [email protected] or Instagram @mnmusic makers

Thanks for listening!

Recorded March 19th, 2022.

Dan Chizek was on my original list of people I wanted to talk to when I started planning this program. A guy I’ve seen around in music since high school, and after being reminded of CPS, was like “oh yeah, we played a lot more bills together than I thought”. Like many, I thought he was mainly a guitarist due to the popularity if his band, Hardcore Crayons, appearing on bills most often. Witnessing the progression of this trio over the years has always kept me wanting to check out shows. Who knows what they’d be writing next. I enjoyed hearing about how he has been interested in electronic music for quite some time. This also had some influence in Crayons later work and he continues writing in the genre under the name, CHUB. Appreciated hearing about how his writing methods developed over time, from the studio to playing with others live. Yes, we do say that. It was the bands name, and their intention was to be as profane as possible so I left it in. All in all it was an entertaining time getting acquainted with Chizek. How many various styles of music have influenced him over the years from punk to jazz, show up throughout his music. Basement shows are near and dear to my heart, so throughout with numerous name drops that connection was very meaningful. And I really look forward to hearing more tracks frok CHUB in the future.

Check out more pics from this and other episodes on Instagram @mnmusicmakers

Links to music:

Hardcore Crayons - https://hardcorecrayons.bandcamp.com/

CHUB - https://chubmusic.bandcamp.com/

Mrs. - https://mrsband.bandcamp.com/ 

Song list: Foopa (CHUB), Occupational Hazard (Chicken Poodle Soup), We Always Finish Eachothers..(Hardcore Crayons), People (You’ve No Idea How Awful They Are) [mrs.], Bee Man (Hardcore Crayons), Thumper (CHUB), 024 DIVOC (CHUB), New and Improved DnB (DICK&BUTT)[CHUB]

Any questions feel free to reach out [email protected]

For my first episode of the year I have Eva from Umbrella Bed and her daughter, Alice who has a few music projects of their own. Eva explains how she ended up on the French Horn in her younger years, and has certainly made her stand out on any stage. We talk about how she got started with Umbrella Bed, European tour adventures, and playing almost every bar around town. Her daughter, Alice, then tells me about their solo project and also their punk band, Mystery Meat. Was great catching up with Eva and getting to meet Alice.

Song list: Mystery Skanker (Umbrella Bed), Narcissa (Umbrella Bed), Sweet Home Kamchatka (Umbrella Bed), Dark Days (Umbrella Bed), Monkeys & Rivets (Umbrella Bed), I Promise (Alice), Reckless (Mystery Meat), I Told U (Alice)

Check out @mnmusicmakers on Instagram for additional pictures and updates on upcoming episodes!

This week concludes my interview with Albert. We discuss Wisconsin, and how he's not surprised to hear about a basement punk scene in Appleton, Wisco. Albert tells me about some memorable touring shows he saw, including The Misfits and a lackluster after party with the entourage for The Casualties.

The history of The Dropsteppers is further explained, and how their sound evolved from a previous project. We reflect on how he linked up with Doug Otto around the college years, and forming The Getaways over time.

I make a wrong assumption for the naming of The Poor Nobodys, but then Albert fills me in on touring Europe with them and meeting a familiar stranger on their travels. Finally we discuss what it was like to reunite with his bandmates in The Dropsteppers to play a benefit show for a friend just before covid lockdown.

Song list: Foolish Pride - The Dropsteppers, Bring It On Home - The Dropsteppers, Suzy's Got It Wrong - The Dropsteppers, The Back Door - Soul Foundation, Nine Trick Pony - Doug Otto & The Getwaways, Lizard - The Poor Nobodys (Live at Le Bidule, France), Waking Still Asleep - The Poor Nobodys, Pipeline To My Heart - Doug Otto & The Getaways

Additional photos and flyers can be viewed on the Instagram page @mnmusicmakers

Check out more tracks from The Dropsteppers on Spotify and other music streaming services

http://www.dougottoandthegetaways.com/

The Poor Nobodys Silent Film Tracks:

Panacea: https://youtu.be/Gm4-yORChiU

Night Of The Living Dead: https://youtu.be/ta1m5Mpl-CM

Who Is Vermin Supreme: https://youtu.be/xEHE4DbNBcA

The Real Chuck NORAD on Instagram

Also follow the DJ night hosted by Albert and Paul, Last Chance For Love https://linktr.ee/Lastchanceforlove