Sonic Smoothie

Today, host and paneer lover Russ Stone talks to multi-talented artist Kendra Muecke a.k.a. Kendra the Bunnies.

The performer has an obvious compulsion to create and connect, and her passion and energy have led her in countless different directions. By day, Kendra is a singer-songwriter who specializes in psychedelic folk rock and spoken word. By night, the Texas native is a published author, actress, activist, painter, podcast host, and volunteer.

When does she sleep? We forgot to ask.

Russ and Kendra discuss the many different forms a feeling can take artistically, community building during lockdown, comfort food, and the best Halloween costume of all (spoiler: it is a bunny!). Plus, Russ makes the obvious "rabbit out of a hat” joke!

Keep up with Kendra the Bunnies by visiting her website and following her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

ALSO: ditch your grocery-store Christmas soundtrack and purchase this wonderful, feel good holiday anthem: More Like Christmas | Kendra the Bunnies (bandcamp.com)

Today, Russ Stone talks with the masterminds behind the funky, hip-hop, neo-soul duo, The Oddysy. 

 

The Oddysy is a New York based passion project formed by bass player and singer KJ, and multi-instrumentalist DJ Johnny Juice, playing a genre they have dubbed "electro-something". The two seasoned musicians are endlessly in search of a new opportunity to make something awesome and meaningful (even if it's country!). KJ relates their process to cooking with "sweet and savory" flavors, and resisting the urge to write a "club song to a club beat" ("it always comes back to food!)". Additionally, the duo have compiled an incredible resume including collaborations with icons such as Chuck D, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, Leaders of the New School, Garrett Shider (George Clinton / Parliament), and Kool Kim. We can't wait to hear all of this on their upcoming debut album, "You Must Be Just Don't Know Who I Is", a title inspired by a desire to include tiny text on the album cover.

 

Today, The Oddysy talk with Russ about using music as a tool to push social change, a future EP of exclusively covers (no ABBA!), goat neck stew, and the best way to move corn chips across state lines.

 

Keep up with The Oddysy by visiting their website and following them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

Today, Russ Stone drinks his third cup of coffee while talking to Singapore-born electronic artist and music technologist, Claire Marie Lim, AKA, dolltr!ck (who, at this time, is on her second cup).

Claire, classically trained in piano and flute, is a performer, educator, and advocate, and after seeing the duo, Disclosure, she fell in love with the atmosphere and never looked back. 

By pulling inspiration from artists like TOKiMONSTA and Madeon, and doing in-depth research on a variety of genres (SORRY, CLAIRE'S STUDENTS), the live experience designer, dolltr!ck, was born. Her groundbreaking, genre-bending, and beautiful approach to electronic performance has moved audiences (emotionally, and like, dance-wise) and inspired and empowered young women and non-binary musicians around the world.

Claire talks with Russ about adapting to a virtual world as an artist, mentor, and teacher, and making space for herself and others.

Plus, Russ gets some restaurant recommendations in Queens, NY!

 

Keep up with dolltr!ck by visiting her website and following her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Also, look out for 2 new singles, out on December 18th!

Today, Russ Stone talks to New York based multi-instrumentalist and musical-wizard,  Andrew Feyer (pronounced FAY-er). The keytar wielding artist known as "Feyer" has spent years studying musical composition, orchestration, and vocal performance to come out the other side with a fully fleshed out sound that is unmistakably, "Feyer".

It seems he's put an entire cup of techno vibes and his passion for an 80's aesthetic (described on his website as, "a fusion of retro and futuristic sounds"), and elements of rock and classical melodies into a blender, resulting in songs that are constantly infectious, lyrically beautiful, and more often than not, just plain fun. Russ can confirm, he hasn't been able to get "Parties!", a Feyer classic, out of his head after hearing it months ago. 

TLDR: We're huge Feyer stans. 

Feyer tells Russ about his start at Bard college, collaborating, self producing in a bedroom studio, and a cool fact about a Queen song that you just have to hear to find out. And, of course, the keytar origin story.

Additionally, the two decide that the best performances are those that take place in the shower(?)

 

Keep up with Feyer by visiting his website and following him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! 

Check out Feyer's newest single and music video, My Disconnection, over here!

Today, Russ Stone is running off of 3 hours of sleep. Onwards! The tired host talks to Brooklyn composer and jazz guitarist, Pravin Thompson, about superheroes, his background as a mosh-pit-kid, and the superior internet animal (spoiler: it's seals).

When Pravin first entered the "jazz world" after a lifetime of rock concerts, the wildly creative musician says he was, first and foremost, "really underdressed". Still, he's navigated these new, serious spaces like a champ, all while preserving his "silly presence" and staying true in his mission to constantly embarrass his bandmates.

Pravin showcases his unique and eclectic style in, A Thoughtful Collapse, his debut LP, released in March of this year. Basically, it sounds like what it would sound like if you took a bunch of Andrew Hill and Radiohead cassettes and decided to bake them into a prog and noise soufflé. It's gorgeous, fascinating, and exhausting. We can't turn it off. 

Fun fact: Russ and Pravin played on the same bill at the "Almost Halloween Show" at The Nest in October 2019; Russ in 2 out of 3 of his bands ("Winner Camp" and "Union Street"), and Pravin on guitar alongside New York singer/songwriter, Izzie Curran. The two did not meet that night, but Russ did hurt his throat performing a new metal song in where he screamed for too long.

Keep up with Pravin Thompson, buy his music, and wear his merch.

Facebook/Instagram/Bandcamp

Today, Russ Stone talks to Virginia's newest synth heavy, corn loving, indie folk band, Azure Wolf. What started in early 2020 as an extension of singer, songwriter, and Queen of Dragons Victoria Backle's solo project has quickly evolved into a team of melancholy dream boats that will burn your heart to the ground and then gingerly repair it piece by piece.  On today's episode, the band explores potential corn-centric gimmicks, their adventures in altruism, and and their camaraderie and lighting pace in everything from practice to cornhole.

Plus, Russ helps the team with a potential rebrand! 

Victoria Backle (Singer/ Songwriter and Rhythm Guitar) Sean Spencer (Bass and Synth)Isaac Foltz (Lead Guitar)Tommy Moore (Drums) 

Keep up with Azure Wolf on Facebook/Instagram/Spotify

Click here to order a custom Azure Wolf Vinyl

This week on Sonic Smoothie, Russ talks to his bandmate, industrial metal king of the Upper East side, Nicholas Golden, from an Airbnb in San Antonio with okay Wifi. Finding inspiration in everything from foreign films, to "Titanic", to Manson, the front man of GLDN creates this kind of music that makes you want to turn off all the lights and then invest in a personal strobe light. Maybe you'll figure out how to solo mosh, too. 

Russ and Nick, who last played together at the "Russ Stone Vanity Project" in February (a line up in where Russ opened for his 3 bands), talk about how originality is overrated, Nick's concept album and how he finds motivation during quarantine, and the very recent boxed wine phase Russ is not proud of. 

Keep up with Nick and his band, GLDN, on Instagram, Facebook, and SoundCloud, and look out for the new album, coming soon!

On the first ever episode of Sonic Smoothie, Russ Stone talks to Henry Mansfield, a brilliant, young artist from Seattle who uses his entire heart and soul to construct, "emotional battle cries from the confused young people in our modern world". The two discuss the obligation of a musician to their "first break-up" song, Henry's relationship with the great city of Boise, and the best way to avoid chopping vegetables.