The Ezra Lipp Hour (More or Less)

It’s hard to encapsulate what the duo of Anna Moss and Joel Ludford, AKA Handmade Moments is and what they do. On the surface they’re two young, energetic multi-instrumentalists clearly in-love with each other and with the world around them. A dynamic duo is definitely apropos here as in their live show they present a seamless mix of acoustic guitar, upright bass, saxaphone, souzaphone, theatrical vocals, percussion and tag team beatboxing. Hailing from the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Joel and Anna have traveled the world (and toured their asses off) performing their songs which can delve into heavy and thoughtful territory and don’t shy from some of the most serious themes of today, yet with a non-threatening approach.

Their humor and their creativity really shine when you seem them live, as well as their nimble approach to banter and improvisation. Handmade Moments is clearly on a quest to win hearts and free hearts, unify people and have them let their guard down, and they are succeeding!

I had a pleasure catching up with them and I think you will really enjoy our wide-ranging conversation!!

For more info and to catch upcoming tour dates please visit Handmade Moments

To learn more about the host Ezra visit Ezra Lipp and Magic In The Other

Today’s theme music is an instrumental version of Put A Smile In Your Mind from Magic In The Other.

You’ve most likely never heard of my good friend and amazing musician & eco-activist Gabe Dominguez but that’s ok. He’s co-founder of San Francisco’s Bicycle Music Festival, leader of Fantastic Whup-Music Outfit Shake Your Peace!, one half of the gorgeous folk duo Tiny Home and most recently the visionary behind Ecotopia Now! a world changing - eco literacy program for Utah’s high schools and colleges, but that’s really just part of his story.

Gabe has an articulate, urgent, and ultimately beautiful vision for our future which he has strived to head towards for the better part of his adult life. In this deep and fluid conversation we explore some of the powerful ideas Gabe has suggesting eco-friendly alternatives to the dominant culture, as well as hear some of his joyful music and reminisce about being a creative activist in the bay area in the 2000’s. You’re not gonna want to skip this episode!

www.ecotopianow.org

https://shakeyourpeace.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TinyHomeMusic/

Jay Cobb Anderson is a prolific Portland, OR based songwriter and guitarist best know for his work as co-founder of the renowned Indie-Folk-Rock band Fruition. From humble beginnings and a chance meeting amongst kids in their early twenties, Fruition rose from a bunch a wide-eyed burgeoning buskers, itching to play for whoever would listen, to a power house of rock and roll troubadours, conquering the open road and delighting audiences around the country year after year. As the members matured and developed over time, as did their music, their lyrics and their connection.

Jay also plays in the incredible band TK and The Holy Know Nothings and has released two solo albums under his own name. It was a pleasure to get to catch up with my bud Jay and rap with him about life, music and what he’s learned so far!

www.jaycobbanderson.com

Stanton Moore is an anomaly. Most musicians would only hope to have the success he’s had as to withstand over 20 years of lucrative world-touring with New Orleans funk-jam band Galactic. However that is just the tip of the iceberg for Stanton. As a performer he’s played with a who’s who of all-star contemporary and legendary musicians from New Orleans and beyond. As an educator he’s had articles published in every reputable drumming magazine, been featured on the cover of all, has taught clinics around the globe and has developed his very own online drum academy. As a band leader he’s put out multiple releases under his own name and played on countless releases by others, and as an entrepreneur he’s developed his own line of cymbals for Bosphorus and Sabian (Crescent Cymbals), and now co-owns the legendary New Orleans music venue Tipitina’s along with his bandmates from Galactic.

Stanton Moore is one of the more accomplished and driven musicians out there and there’s no telling what many more great things he will do. It was a pleasure to get to sit down with him in January on Jam Cruise and hear about all his on-going projects and gain a little insight into how he keeps everything up and running and at such a high level. Please enjoy!

For more info on Stanton please visit www.stantonmoore.com

For more info on Ezra please visit www.ezralipp.com or www.magicintheother.net

Leslie Mendelson’s on-going journey as an artist is a testament to her undeniable talent, perseverance, and mastery of her craft. She had a storied start to her career in the 2000’s with support of major label budgets and grammy award winning producers. This garnered critically acclaimed grammy nominated material of her own, but it also took her down a path where she dealt with disappointment, disillusionment, and death.

Over a decade later her career is thriving and she is just as comfortable in a singer/songwriter solo setting as she is performing alongside jam band luminaries like Steve Kimock or Bob Weir. Earlier this month (5/19) she opened up for the Who at Madison Square Garden and she is days away from meeting a kickstarter goal to fund her fully finished new record “If You Can’t Say Anything Nice”. As always, I had a blast chatting with Leslie and I think you will enjoy the fruit of our conversation.

Support Leslie’s Kickstarter!

Leslie’s Official Website

Learn more about Ezra at www.EzraLipp.com

Photo: Stuart Levine Photography

Zach Gill is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter best known for his decades of touring as co-founder of the band ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra), as well as his years of traversing the world as a member of Jack Johnson’s band. Zach is a creative, playful and articulate character who has also released a handful of solo records including 2008’s Zach Gill’s Stuff and 2017’s Life in the Multiverse. This is a unique episode as Ezra stepped in to fill the drum chair in ALO in the winter of 2017 (which continues presently) so what we have is an intimate, thoughtful and light-hearted conversation amongst friends and bandmates.

www.zachgill.com

www.alomusic.com

Rob Barraco is an incredibly talented keyboardist best known for his decades of longstanding affiliations and collaborations with Grateful Dead Alumni. He was playing in the Zen Tricksters in the 1990’s when a series of fateful events caused their CD to wind up in the stereo of Phil Lesh who then summoned Barraco for an audition. He would go on to play in The Phil Lesh Quintet, aka “The Q”, one of the most revered iterations of Phil Lesh & Friends also featuring Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring and John Molo. He had stints with post GD groups The Other Ones and The Dead and is now a member of Dark Star Orchestra and California Kind among many other projects and collaborations. It was a pleasure to sit down with Rob and get to hear his lighthearted and colorful take on his decades playing amongst Rock N’ Roll icons.

Billy Martin is a "renaissance artist" in the truest sense. For nearly 30 years he's been the drummer/percussionist with the legendary avant jazz-groove trio Medeski Martin & Wood and his singular and infectious approach to beat making has influenced scores of musicians. He's also a visual artist, writer, label owner (Amulet Records), film-maker, composer, world class collaborator and highly regarded as an influential teacher who's released instructional or self proclaimed "anti-instructional" content (DVD's and books) to inspire and educate musicians. Billy has been one of my all time favorite musicians and a huge personal influence on me. It was a pleasure to sit down and have him on the show! Enjoy!

www.billymartin.net

Nathan Moore is a man who occupies many worlds and wears many hats. In my humble opinion, he is one of the finest songwriters of our time and his ongoing career has spanned many projects and phases that most artists could spend a lifetime on. Be it the years he spent touring with his indie-acoustic band Thamusemeant, the contagious unbound Rock N’ Roll you can see him creating with Surprise Me Mr. Davis, the multi-media extravaganza and unconventional touring that was Hippie Fiasco, the electronic psych-folk experimentation of his latest collaboration The Whole Other, the pirate radio station he ran for years in his basement, or just him onstage alone with a guitar, a harmonica, four chords and the truth; Nathan’s essence shines through in any setting where he finds himself, and he, nor we, never seem to know where he will find himself next. 

It was a sincere pleasure and joy to sit down with my good friend Nathan a little after midnight and riff about his unfolding journey as an artist, process as a songwriter, child hood memories, God, and much more. Please enjoy!

As I mention in the introduction my band Magic In The Other has until 12/7/2017 to hit our goal through our Kickstarter campaign to fund the production and recording of our debut album! If this podcast is bringing any value to your life and you've wondered how you could give back, I’d sincerely appreciate your support on backing (and spreading the word) on this project that will help further the development of my art. Thank you so much for your consideration as it means a lot to me! - Ezra

Click here for a very entertaining video I made talking about the project! 

http://bit.ly/MITOKickStarter

Moore about Nathan!

Nathan's Land