SMI (Seattle Music Insider) Radio

The BGP is a Northwest outfit that doesn’t sound like they are from The Northwest. Their sound flows through cities like New Orleans, Memphis, Atlanta, NY or Philly; it is definitely not the Puget Sound, if you dig. One could say that this group of friends and accomplished musicians plays a very sophisticated yet accessible brand of soul pop and rock. The truth is The BGP defies categorization. Oh sure you hear the influences but the boys have their own thing goin’ on and have for several years.

Allen Stone used to open for them. The BGP opened for Fitz and The Tantrums who were playing their coming out party before achieving local and global success. These talented group of cats also appeared on national TV on America’s Got Talent. Over the course of their time together they have released an EP and a handful of singles. It all started when they released their debut EP, titled Love & Rent, in 2010. After a very successful Kickstarter campaign, the group has released their second EP, titled Fort Knox, in late 2015.

The BGP is a band we have championed for almost 6 years. We have watched and heard them evolve during that time. It was an honor to have them kick off the musical portion of our 5 year Anniversary party last summer at Rhapsody World Headquarters in Seattle. We did so because we love their sound and you couldn’t meet a cooler bunch of fellas.

The BGP will play their first show of the new year at the legendary Neumos on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, January 20th. Also on the bill will be Down North and Bardot. Tickets are available here.

We have interviewed The BGP for past episodes of SMI Radio. We finally got the group to come into Critical Sun Studios for a live in-studio session and interview. The full interview and performances can be heard by clicking the player below.

We invite you to take a look at their live performances of “Uhmerica,” “Normal Things,” and “VCR” engineered by Bubba Jones of Critical Sun Recordings with the video production and photo gallery courtesy of Jason Tang.

Lemolo’s last effort, The Kaleidoscope, released in 2013, was a critical success and one of our favorite releases of the year. The follow up, Red Right Return has been highly anticipated by fans and press alike.

I have heard the new disc, and it is a brilliant collection of highly addictive, progressive, dream-pop ditties. After a few listens, it is obvious that Meagan Grandall has grown as a songwriter, arranger and musician. On the newest record, the songs and arrangements are more complex, and the soundscapes more lush. Seattle Rock Orchestra and Sisters’ very own Emily Westman performed on the new record and, along with Grandall, put together a heavier sound while still maintaining the trademark Lemolo sonic tapestry and dreamy vibe.

Grandall’s musical journey has taken her on an interesting path that has led her to discover her true voice, which is beautifully on display on Lemolo’s newest release.

Lemolo will celebrate the release of their new disc, Red Right Return on Friday, November 6 at 8:00 p.m. at an all-ages show at The Crocodile. Also on the bill is the amazing Maiah Manser and Mimicking Birds.

Tickets for the show are available here.

For our first SMI Radio episode of the fall season, we welcome Lemolo into Critical Sun Studio who will talk about Red Right Return, and perform a few songs from the record. Lemolo’s Grandall and drummer Adrian Centoni talk about the evolution of the sound and songwriting, as well as some of the distinctions between their new, highly touted release, The Kaleidoscope.

On this Episode, SMI Radio’s Greg Roth invites Vaudeville Etiquette into Critical Sun Radio Studio for a chat and an in-studio performance, including an unreleased song from their forthcoming release. Greg talks to the band about their history, their sound and their upcoming performances at Chinook Fest. Vaudeville Etiquette will be performing on the main stage on Saturday, July 11 at 3:15.

Also on this week’s show, we feature tracks from Chinook Fest artists, X-Ambassadors and Allen Stone.

On this week's episode of SMI Radio, Naked Giants visit the Critical Sun Radio Studio to chat with host Greg Roth and perform live in studio. The boys will be performing live at Timber! Outdoor Music Festival taking place in Carnation, Washington July 16 - 18. Naked Giants will be taking the main stage at 4:40 on Saturday (6/17). Based on what you we heard and saw in the studio, this is a band not to be missed!

In the second half of the show, Greg caught up down with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame DJ, and music curator Marco Collins a few weeks back while he was taking a break from his MC duties at Fisherman's Village Music Festival. Marco gets personal as he talks about his movie The Glamour and The Squalor, which made its very successful debut at SIFF to rave reviews.

Marco also shares his insights to the state of the music industry today and his continued passion for discovering and curating great Northwest artists. Marco will be the official MC for Chinook Fest Summit 2015 taking place this weekend, July 10- 12. Marco will be hosting and DJ the after-party on Saturday (7/11) right after headliner Allen Stone finishes his headlining set.

On this week's episode of SMI Radio, Greg Roth takes you back inside Critical Sun Radio Studio for another live session with the brilliant Catherine Feeny and Chris Johnedis.

Feeny and Johnedis create a big, etherial and eclectic sound with their unique arrangements and tones.

Fenny talks about the challenges and joys of being a recording artist and shares her experience of participating in the Occupy Wall Street movement which began in September 2011 in Zuccotti Park.

Feeny and Johnedis were in town to play a special Seattle Living Room Show performance later that night.

In the second half of the show Greg catches up with Seattle Living Room Show founders, Carrie and Kristen Watt backstage at Northwest Folklife.

The Watt sisters talked about their 7 year anniversary celebration and what they have planned coming up in year eight.

SMI Radio's Greg Roth sits down for an interview and live in-studio performance with Seattle Supergroup, Super Jam at Critical Sun Radio studio.

Roth talks to the band and their promoter Steven Roseta about the project and their upcoming show which took place at Seattle's Triple Door on Saturday, May 23

The band performs music from UK music legends, Squeeze and Elvis Costello

Chinook Fest kicks it's fourth year but unlike previous years, Chinook Fest brings music fans double the fun on both sides of the Snoqualmie pass. Chinook Fest at the summit will feature Allen Stone headlining the main stage along with X Ambassadors, Barcelona, Vicci Martinez, Austin Jenckes, The Maldives, Northwest supergroup, Rust on The Rails, Tess Henley and a lot more. Check out the complete lineup by going to http://chinookfest.com.

On this week's episode you will here my interview Austin Jenckes right after he walked off stage for his performance at the Crocodile. Austin talks about his move to Nashville, his strong connections to the Northwest and his new record that is in the works. Austin will be playing both Chinook Fest events at Snoqualmie Summit and Naches, Washington, September 11 - 13.

In the first half of the show I speak with longtime friend of SMI, Cody Beebe. Cody chats about organizing Chinookfest 2015, How he booked Allen Stone and his musical projects. In addition, Cody shares a very special personal announcement.

On this week's episode of SMI Radio, host Greg Roth sits down with long time friend of the show and soul singer Eldridge Gravy from Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme. Roth debut's the band's brand new single, "Hey Big Freak" and talks to Eldridge about the band's plans for 2015 and their new record which will drop later in this year.

In the second half of this week's episode, Zarni steps into Critical Sun Radio studio for a special in-studio performance of selections from her recently released EP. Zarni talks about the making of the record and the inspiration behind the songs that comprise her newest release

In the first half of this week's episode SMI Radio's Greg Roth has an exclusive backstage interview at Seattle's Triple door on night one of his 5 night series, Allen Stone: Evolution of an Artist. Roth and Allen talk about how his life has changed in the last 3 years and his forthcoming May, Capitol Records release, Radius.

In the second half of the show Roth interviews Seattle artist Maiah Manser. Mariah opened for Stone earlier in the evening at The Triple Door

On the most recent episode of SMI Radio I catch up with NWCZ Radio founder, Darrell Fortune and host of his new show True Fidelity which can be heard every Thursday night from 6:00 - 8:00pm PST.

In the second half of the show we treat you to a wonderful in-studio performance and conversation with a very talented Northwest singer/songwriter, Sarah Gerritsen, recorded at Critical Sun Radio.