Radio Casbah Stream

What was once buried and lost has been found and reassembled. Thank the Universe for playlist is all I’m going to say, so assembling this is the physical realm only took a few minutes.  While only twelve tracks, this one clocks in at almost 48 minutes. Assembled about three or more years ago and buried but not forgotten betwixt moves, graduate schools (with another on the horizon in about a year or so), and at least one or two computer purchases and moves. It’s a miracle this still exists. Given my erratic schedule, I want to streamline these occasional, but hopefully more regular, shows better than previously to get out all of this wonderful music that has been piling up. To facilitate that, for the moment, I will be creating each one without a voiceover track from yours truly. Instead, You’ll get the mix as a regular podcast as well as the usual capsule reviews of each artist and any other details that might be pertinent, like a theme or a mood. This time, I don’t believe either of those are present.

This interview was a surprise to me when I took a secret trip up to New York City about a year ago to visit friends and see a band working out in a practice space.

Sitting here on the bench, waiting for the train to take me to work, I realize that I finally finished the first show podcast in many years. The way my brain works, I have been also contemplating and processing ideas for new shows and the impending and looming master’s thesis that I need to start and finish to graduate. Life is busy, it needs to be busier in a few areas of my life, but it is good for the moment.

Since it has been almost six years of quiet and silence, new shows and their accompanying missives will necessarily evolve. This first show is approximately 45 minutes with an introduction and then we’re off and blazing. Like everything appearing and heard here previously, the shows will not be married to any one genre, but they will all be local, independent, and unsigned (mostly). As time and creativity allow, I’ll add a blurb about the band or a few words at the very least. The show is 45 minutes now, but I may play with the length as well. There is no interlude or closing remarks from me but that is also subject to change. About 3/4 of the way through is a sponsor-like advert from MusicSubmit.com. They are not our sponsor, but they are loyal and the vast majority of the music you hear is due to their diligence in allowing me to hear folks who need to be heard.

I do have to say something about the theme that will begin each show. That powerful but bluesy riff is from a dear friend who has been a favorite from the beginning, Maggie Walters (www.maggiewalters.com). It’s taken from my favorite recording of one of my favorites, “Spin,” which is one of the greatest commentaries on contemporary media propaganda I have ever heard. At some point, I’ll have to ask Maggie for permission to use the lyrics in that book on propaganda I need to write. Plus I love the live version better than the rest, which is where this riff is from.

And a polite request and note for the immediate future. While I love doing a forward and back announce where I discuss some aspects of each track, that is generally impossible at the moment with life being what it is at the moment due to the writing of my thesis and my silly commute to work that eats most of my time. When I have time to do that for the shows I will, but my biggest concern has been getting this music out for you and for the artists as well. Please understand that I am doing the best I can for everything and everyone. Please prepare to be surprised.

Without further ado, I should tell you who you are listening to.

Graham Reynolds and the Golden Arm Trio: A composer and his band from a few years back. Reynolds is a composer who should b better known. You’ve probably heard him is a few films over the years, if you care to explore his projects via his website.

Last Snow: Ready for the radio, but not radio ready (That is, they should be heard, but they don’t sound like the bands that make it to commercial radio that all sound the same.). And this is what I am always looking for. While I don’t feature metal all the time, I do look for exceptional examples that stand out, and this being alternative metal with the rare but incredible woman leading the band on vocals, I stop to listen.

Spencer Robinson and the Wolf Spiders: Hearing a veteran now and then is incredible but hearing the current musical explorations of someone from a band that played with the likes of the Who, X, and the Cramps almost leaves me speechless. There is something that is sexy and dangerous and fills the need for mystery and a little speed all at once with this track.

Eliza Sayers: Pillar of Salt is a single I believe, but I hope there is more to come. There are elements here that would be loved on commercial radio, but there is something undefinable in Sayers voice or the melody that pushes it over my edge and makes it a wonder to hear and listen to repeatedly. I hope there is more to come and and an album, soon.

Brutus Begins: This is one of those projects that becomes fun only because it...

This was the last interview I conducted before the website hiatus.  It is a fairly typical RadioMike interview with an exploration of influences current projects, and musical memories.  Please enjoy and if you have any suggestions for musical interviews, please send them our way.  I look forward to sharing new interviews with you soon, perhaps with a newer variety of questions that you can submit in addition to newer questions that I am researching.

While this is the second of two shows that dates from a 2011 production date, neither was posted for anyone to play.  I didn’t want to waste them since there is a lot of good music here that was submitted to the show way back then by old friends and new friends.  So without further ado until I can create new shows for you all, enjoy these.  And, thanks for your patience and apologies for all of those test podcast posts.  All the kinks should be worked out regarding the podcasts.  If you would like to submit your music or want to suggest an artist that we should know about, please get in touch.

Here’s what we’ve got this time.

Concert Silence, Track 1 from 09.22.07

The Prophets,  Wrong House from Bigger Than Elvis

Jebediah Goodthrust, Army In Your Head from         Jebediah Goodthrust

Kathy Zimmer,            67 Caliente from Opening Band

 Deborah Crooks, Off Sides from Other Halves

One For Jude,  Reine Du Passe from Bonheur Dynamique               

Paul Brill, This Was Our Routine from Kaleidoscope

Dave Desmelik, It's True from Unheard Of

King Orba, Orba Revisited from Hidden Track #13

While this is one of two shows that dates from a 2011 production date, neither was posted for anyone to play.  I didn’t want to waste them since there is a lot of good music here that was submitted to the show way back then by old friends and new friends.  So without further ado until I can create new shows for you all, enjoy these.  And, thanks for your patience and apologies for all of those test podcast posts.  All the kinks should be worked out regarding the podcasts.  If you would like to submit your music or want to suggest an artist that we should know about, please get in touch.

You’ll hear:

Diane Cluck, Love Me If Ye Do from Countless Times

Kirsten DeHaan, The Night Shift from Thorns On A Crown

Arms Of Kismet,         The Game from Play For Affection

Parks, September.Koivisto from Hidden

King Orba, Shoes from Dressed To The 9's

The Hit & Mrs., Sultry Lips from Ashes Of Bridges   

Dave Desmelik, Would You Have Me?     Onlooker

Moomaw, Put A Record On from Animalia

Misterlee, Bottle Up from This Disquiet Dog

Gilbert Hetherwick, Wake Up Now from Time To Fly