Public Record

There are sounds traveling vast distances. Nostalgic tones from times that never were. Listen closely and you can hear them, whispering through the wires. Every Tuesday night, your cryptic eventide DJ Ersa Lowly brings you a handful of songs for you to drift away to, plus intriguing calls from the WASTOIDS hotline. 

Today on WASTOIDS, a call with Kiefer Shackleford. An inventive pianist, he’s a veteran of the Los Angeles scene. He's been busy in 2021: in April, he released the Between Days EP, featuring a great Cure cover, and last month, a new full length, When There’s Love Around. 

Layering full band instrumentation with synths and upright piano, he’s reflective of an ethos that borrows and blends from new age, jazz, '70s soul, funk, post-Dilla crate digging beats, and ambient soundscapes. His work recently caught the ear of Drake producer 40, who commissioned some piano sketches for Drake’s Certified Lover Boy. 

We caught up with him for this episode of Strange Gear to discuss his creative outlook, incorporating synths into his work—namely the Prophet 600—and discuss the value of working on art even when—sometimes especially when—you don’t feel like it. Thanks for listening to WASTOIDS—catch Kiefer out on tour this fall. 

What do you know? What's left to learn? Tonight on Clairaudience on WASTOIDS, recorded at 850 W Lincoln, a glimpse into the looking glass with your guide into the liminal, Ersa Lowly. Music for zoning out, and far out missives from the answering machine of the 1-877-WASTOIDS hotline. 

Today on WASTOIDS, a legend of recorded history: Van Dyke Parks. His name appears in the liner notes of so many of our favorite albums—LPs by the Beach Boys, Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Joanna Newsom, Grizzly Bear, and many more—and to boot, he’s one of pop music’s great storytellers and raconteurs. 

In 1995, he released a collaborative album with Brian Wilson called Orange Crate Art. Last year, to celebrate its 25th anniversary, the folks at Omnivore Records reissued the album along with rarities and instrumental takes.  VDP grew up in Mississippi, but travel has long been a fixture in his discography and Orange Crate Art found him and Wilson exploring the idyllic myths and hidden corners of the California Dream, evoking the sensations Van Dyke felt as a young kid first visiting to appear in a movie, The Swan with Grace Kelly, in 1955. 

Van Dyke took a few minutes out of his day to join us here on WASTOIDS to discuss the record, and, because we can’t help but ask about it: we also talk about his appearance on Twin Peaks in 1990. 

This is WASTOIDS, thanks for listening. Give us a call to discuss the California Dream or whatever other weird tales you have to share. 1-877-WASTOIDS. Leave us a message and you just might hear it in an upcoming WASTOIDS broadcast. 

Stare into the flickering flames tonight with episode eight of Clairaudience on WASTOIDS, recorded at 850 W Lincoln. Your host Ersa Lowly has materialized with a selection of lulling music and mysterious tales from the 1-877-WASTOIDS hotline. 

Song selections: 

Charley Christian, "Mooganga" 
Charlie Megira, “The Girl Who Was Frightened Of Ashtrays” 
Jan Steele, “Distant Saxophones” (excerpt)  
Percussion LTD, “A Time For Love”
Arthur Lyman, “Fire Down Below”
Arthur Van Damme Quintet, “Manhattan Time”  (excerpt) 

Have you been scanning the frequencies for signs of life? This is Clairaudience on WASTOIDS, coming to you from 850 W. Lincoln. Your guide is Ersa Lowly, here to take your ear and lead you on a sonic journey into the night, with songs for the ride and calls from the WASTOIDS hotline. You can call any time: Dial 1-877-WASTOIDS and tell us a story—we’ll broadcast it here on Clairaudience. 

This evening's song selections:

Bobby Christian, “Mooganga”

Nelson Sisters, “Ebony Eyes” 

The Del-Tones, “Taboo” 

Ron Bartol, “Waiting”

Combustible Edison, “Carnival of Souls” 

Sun Ra, “Interstellar Low Ways” (Excerpt)

Listener, you’ve found yourself, by some twist of fate, listening to Clairaudience on WASTOIDS, recorded at 850 W Lincoln, with your host, Ersa Lowly. Each week, she arrives with sleepy time music and far out calls from the WASTOIDS hotline. Have you given us a call? Dial 1-877-WASTOIDS to get in touch. But before you, how about some music. From a true savant of synthesis. 

Welcome to Clairaudience on WASTOIDS with Ersa Lowly, presented via the magic of ones and zeroes direct to your headphones to guide you into dreamland with bewitching musical selections and calls from the WASTOIDS hotline. Wanna get in on the lunar fun? Call 1-877-WASTOIDS and share your strange stories. 

Bobby Christian, "Mooganga" 
Inoyama Land, "Glass Chaim"
Mike Mandel, Boogie Bass (WASTOIDS edit)
Rene Paulo Group, "Love and the Weather" 
Unknown artist, Girl's Voice, Singing, recorded by Raymond Cult, via Occult Voices – Paranormal Music, Recordings of unseen Intelligences 1905-2007
Gianni Marchetti, February

Music drifting over from the other side. It's Clairaudience on WASTOIDS, recorded live at 850 W. Lincoln, with your host, the dame of dusk, Ersa Lowly. Songs to help you slumber and strange calls from the WASTOIDS hotline, too. Have you given us a ring yet? Call anytime, from any state of mind, 1-877-WASTOIDS. 

Music drifting over from the other side. It's Clairaudience on WASTOIDS, recorded live at 850 W. Lincoln, with your host, the dame of dusk, Ersa Lowly. Songs to help you slumber and strange calls from the WASTOIDS hotline, too. Have you given us a ring yet? Call anytime, from any state of mind, 1-877-WASTOIDS.