The Upbeat Hang

Drummers are a special breed for sure and in this 45th Episode of The Upbeat Hang Duke and K Bo (Amy is off this week) explore that unique bond that timekeepers share with one another. Part of that bond is supporting one another and sharing insights on performing, technique, equipment, and, generally coping as a musician. When done in a group setting some call it a "drummer's hang." Listeners will be interested to hear about what drummers talk about and why some think these performers and their kinship is so unique. Check it out.

“Playing” with technology....have we crossed the line where technology is no longer just an aid to enhance our performance to where it is now a necessary component of our musical arsenal? In this 44th episode of The Upbeat Hang Duke, K Bo and Amy explore the ever-changing role that technology has played vis-a-vis many musical performers. The trio debates the pivotal question of when is too much simply too much? Just as importantly, they ask if the audience really cares if musicians autocorrect their own personal touch and idiosyncrasies out of the equation entirely? Check out the podcast on the Upbeat Hang YouTube channel!

What starts out as a discussion on the topic of sugar and its effect on health, gradually unravels as you get an honest glimpse of what happens behind every production somewhere along the line: the inevitable train-wreck. Some are visible and others are not; some are intentionally released and others just slip out; some are funny and some are cringeworthy. In this 43rd episode of The Upbeat Hang Duke, Amy, and K Bo come to you unfiltered and they bring with them various, and increasing technical “train-wrecks” that just led the cast to say, “post it…why not?” The cast of The Upbeat Hang believes that one cannot take him or herself too seriously and in this episode, they practice what they preach and simply just take a moment to chalk this one to just good old laughter—at themselves. Enjoy.

For the video version, visit:

https://youtu.be/qZf9bAABVGc

Drummer, songwriter, vocalist, and model Jotan Afanador does it all and in Episode 42 of The Upbeat Hang, K Bo, Duke, and Amy find out more about this Bronx, New York, native. Best known as the drummer for international sensation Romeo Santos as well as the Latin megaband Aventura, Afanador has traveled and played around the world to huge crowds spanning various continents. Additionally, as an originator of adding drums to the “Bachata” rhythms, Afanador has made a name for himself and the artists that he performs with. Viewers/listeners will be sure to be entertained by the energetic and effervescent Jotan Afanador. Disfrutar!

The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame—is it reality? ...an illusion? ...or worse, a politically motivated decision? In this 41st episode of The Upbeat Hang Duke, K Bo and Amy examine the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame ahead of this year’s class of potential inductees. In particular, the trio discusses whether any of the potential inductees should be inducted, whether there are current members who do not belong, and, whether there are certain artists who have not been admitted but should be. We also examine whether the scope of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame has been enlarged to encompass acts that are not considered “rock n’ roll” and how this concern can be resolved. Check out their picks and please share yours in the comments section!

Music by Joystock. www.Joystock.org

In this 40th episode of The Upbeat Hang, Duke and K Bo welcome Modern Drummer writer, Russian native, and, phenom drummer Ilya Stemkovsky. Ilya has played for a number of nationally-touring groups including a long stint with the San Francisco-based electric jazz group The OM Trio who were winners of the SF Bay Guardian’s 2001 Reader’s Poll for best local jazz band. OM has also been featured in The Washington Post, The Village Voice, and, Jazz Times Magazine. Ilya has also performed with the Philadelphia-based electro-pop group Brothers Past which has been featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer and URB Magazine. Currently, fans can catch Ilya performing with Jersey Shore staple Eddie Testa. In this episode, we talk with Ilya about a new baby and his observations on the music industry.

The music at the beginning and end of the podcast is from Ilya's original band OM. Learn more about OM at omtrio.com

Catch Ilya during his live dates at facebook.com/eddietestaband

The elusive “holy grail” of songwriting is finding that piece of music that people consider “timeless.” And what makes a track or an album timeless? Simply put, music that doesn’t get old and forgotten no matter when it was written. In this 39th Episode of The Upbeat Hang, Duke, K Bo, and Amy go back 50 years, all the way back to 1971, to explore and share their picks for “timeless” music from 50 years ago. As many avid fans of music history know, the year 1971 spawned a great amount of music that remains very relevant—and popular—today. To many people, that year generated plenty of “timeless” music. To see who we chose for our “timeless” album picks from 1971 you will want to check out this episode.

Even though everyone in the country just voted for their pick for president, in November of 2020, in Episode 38 of The Upbeat Hang, Duke and K Bo share their picks for president (and the accompanying cabinet members) which can only be chosen from the drummer community. Huh? Drummers for public office? Sound crazy? Well maybe, but this was a lot of fun. Tune in to find out who the guys picked for office and then BE SURE TO TELL US WHO YOU WOULD CHOOSE!.

Anger. It’s an emotion that we all deal with at some point in our life and sometimes, even on a daily basis. However, everyone’s approach as to how to handle this natural human emotion can sometimes vary greatly. In Episode 37 of The Upbeat Hang podcast, Duke and Amy share their thoughts about how to address, contain, and deal with the emotion of anger. Do you lash out? Attend therapy? Exercise? Here, listeners will get a behind-the-curtain peek as to how the two hosts of The Upbeat Hang themselves resolve internal issues brought about by anger. This is surely a topic that will hit home with every listener. Please let us know in the comments how you deal with it!

In Episode 36 of The Upbeat Hang podcast, Duke, and Amy get the opportunity to sit down with Angel Ramirez, Jr., who is a founding member of the Latin pop boy band, Barrio Boyzz. The Barrio Boyzz hit the scene in the 1990s when they placed various singles on the Billboard Latin Pop charts including their number one hit entitled, Wherever You Are (recorded as a duet with the late artist Selena, and placing on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs). The group went through line-up changes and eventually disbanded. However, in this episode, listeners will be thrilled to learn that the pop group is reuniting for an album and hopefully a supporting tour. Listeners will also hear Angel talk about his outlook on life and its challenges, as well as the group’s anticipated comeback, and, some other surprises along the way. Enjoy!!!