WNXP Podcasts

 When you hear the title of Chicano Batman's latest album, Notebook Fantasy, you might be reminded of that time in school when your imagination took you in another direction from the subject the teacher was teaching. As our minds would float off into these hopes and dreams, as young people, we would use our notebook to illustrate those ideas. 

Guitarist Carlos Arevalo says it represented this time when you were young, or you could be any age, and you write down your hopes, dreams and aspirations in your journal. This was that him, Bardo Martinez, and Eduardo Arenas vision on this record. Aspiring to be greater than the last record and the records before that.

Office Dog is a newer band out of Auckland, New Zealand — just now about to embark on its first U.S. tour in support of New West Records labelmates Nada Surf — born from the solo artist burnout of singer-songwriter-guitarist Kane Strang, who sought the collaboration of friends Mitchell “Mitch” Innes (drums) and Rassani “Ras” Tolovaa (bass). Office Dog’s debut record is called ‘Spiel’ and we spoke to Strang about its creation.

Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden were in their early twenties when they painted their faces for the album cover of their decade-defining album Oracular Spectacular in 2007. They were self-proclaimed psychonauts exploring the subconscious unknown though heroic doses of psychedelic drugs, looking to find what any twenty-year-old is looking for, the answers to life. And what did they find? The answer comes after a decade of reflection in the last song off their new album Loss of Life, which is a bit of a trip in itself.

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss Creative Girls Rock Expo: Broken Crayons Still In Color at Tennessee State University with founder and CEO Charmin Bates. The organization based in Nashville mission is to educate and empower young girls to utilize their creative talents in unique ways. In honor of Mental Health and Wellness Month, this Saturday they are offering a Creative Girls Rock Expo: Broken Crayons Steel C.O.L.O.R., an acronym for Cultivating Our Lives One Radiant Hue at a time. Main host, along with Creative Girls Rock, is an organization called Smooth founded by Sabrina Greenlee, the mother of DeAndre Hopkins, wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans. 

Former WNXP Nashville Artist of the Month Kyshona has a collaborative songwriting program called Your Song whose mission is helping people find their voices through songs, writing their story, and find healing through songwriting. On her latest album Legacy, our WNXP Record of the Week, she does just that. An album she’s been making for a decade goes back multiple generations of her family legacy and history. She discusses the album’s concept and the importance of family on this record.

Most bands that start in a college dorm room don’t last past graduation. Not Rainbow Kitten Surprise. The group came close to calling it quits, but its willingness to evolve has kept it going for well over a decade. Leading up to the new album “Love Hate Music Box,” R-K-S underwent profound change. Senior music writer Jewly Hight reports it’s the band’s first project since singer Ela Melo transitioned ... and imagined new musical possibilities for the group.

This Saturday, the Strawberry Jubilee makes its return. Courtney Cotton oversees marketing at the Nashville Farmers Market spoke about the event and Sunday is, of course, Mother’s Day. So, if you don’t have plans yet, listen up. Nashville Public Radio’s resident foodie Rachel Iacovone is here to save the day.

Arlo Parks became an international sensation after the release of her 2021 breakout album Collapsed in Sunbeams earned the singer, songwriter several Grammy and BRIT award nominations. With this newfound success, Parks took an even more introspective approach on her highly anticipated sophomore effort My Soft Machine. The deeply personal record narrates Parks’ transition into adulthood with a much more dynamic soundtrack than her debut, showcasing a new exploratory approach to her artistry.

Parks’ vulnerable storytelling is backed by dreamy arrangements that make for pleasant listening for all. Watch her perform “Blades,” “Dog Rose” and “Devotion” off My Soft Machine live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist and singer Eric Slick, best known as the drummer for Dr. Dog, released his second solo record 'New Age Rage' in April. Before embarking on tour for this funky, dance-y, sample-rich and obviously highly percussive album, Slick visited WNXP’s studio to talk about the new music and his elation to get back in front of people. The Nashville show is Friday, May 10 at The Blue Room.

WNXP’s Nashville Artist of the Month for April is Phosphorescent. The man behind that project is Matthew Houck. Over two decades he’s compiled a library of songs, some of the best are anthems, epic in scope and often dealing with melancholy. Most are written though from a standpoint of assuredness, like that wild-hearted character whose bones are steel in “Song for Zula.” The new album Revelator takes a different perspective.