WNXP Podcasts

There are number of series making hip-hop, soul and R&B more available to Nashville crowds. From NashFeels, Motown Monday, Sunday Night Soul, among others. But there is one that’s making its return this weekend that captures the essence of hip hop from the late 80s and early 90s.
 
The series Boom Bap started as an event in Nashville in late 2000s with local and eventually legendary DJs from Jazzy Jeff to 9th Wonder playing hip hop in spaces that normally wouldn’t. After a couple year hiatus the event is back happening at Blind Barber on Saturday. We spoke with the organizers about how the idea for the party came together.

Today is the anniversary of the Covenant School shooting, which killed three adults — Mike Hill, Katherine Koonce and Cynthia Peak — and three children — Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney and Hallie Scruggs — on March 27, 2023. 

Last year, there were many events, both planned and organically happening, in the weeks and months after. This year, there is really the one, collectively. This week for What Where When-sday, we talk to some of the organizers behind Linking Arms for Change, which will form a human chain from Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital to the capitol tonight. Organizations like Moms Demand Action and local clergy have announced their attendance.

The nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition behind the event, Voices for a Safer Tennessee, began 11 months ago and now has chapters in all 95 counties in the state. Its board chair, Todd Cruse, and well-known musician and performer, Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, sat down with us to discuss the event and the last year.

While the music industry has labeled them as “shoegaze,” Hotline TNT’s sound expands far beyond what that description would suggest. The brainchild of Brooklyn-based musician Will Anderson, the project features a rotating cast of players with Anderson’s DIY brilliance at the helm. His dedication to the craft and the scene made their third LP Cartwheel one of the most highly-anticipated releases of 2023.

Watch Hotline TNT perform “I Thought You’d Change,” “History Channel” and “Stump” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

Adrianne Lenker is reaching the status of folk hero. Her stick-to-your-gut, freewheeling attitude is one that Adrianne Lenker brings to her new solo album, “Bright Future” our Record of the Week. “I wanted to make this record feel like you’re in the room with us. ”In order to actually bring you into the room, Lenker’s record label brought us to a studio in Greenwich Village to capture an interview with Lenker and three songs, live in the room, mistakes and all.

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays the Music of The Beatles at Brooklyn Bowl on Sunday. The kid-friendly live concert series brings the music of iconic musicians to allow parents to share their musical experiences with their children in an atmosphere that’s fun and engaging for both parties, including games, face painting and, yes, a parachute.

New Orleans based artist Britti had the vision she would work at a Guitar Center in Nashville and that was how she would get discovered. Although that’s not exactly how it worked out, she bought a guitar and during the pandemic would sing covers on her Instagram from Lainey Wilson to John Denver. This caught the attention of Tom Osborn of Easy Eye Sound who would fly Britti out to Nashville for writing sessions with Dan Auberbach. That journey led her to her debut album Hello, I’m Britti our WNXP Record of the Week.

The trio known as Blonde Redhead formed in New York City in 1993, therefore just celebrated 30 years together with the release of their fall 2023 release called Sit Down for Dinner, the band's first full-length in nine years. Their 2024 American tour supporting this record included a February stop at Nashville's Basement East, where WNXP host Celia sat down backstage with bandmates Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amadeo Pace. They reflected on their history as a band, the look and feel of their fan base, collaborating to pull this record together throughout and post-COVID, and also memorable meals.

Posthumous music releases are tricky. Especially for the creative decision maker left behind. You’re navigating loss, assumption, expectation, doubt... all without input from the voice. In the case of Mama Zu, the voice is Jessi Zazu, a crucial figure in the Middle Tennessee indie music scene who died from cancer seven years ago at the age of 28. Before her death, Zazu had been making what became Quilt Floor with Linwood Regensberg her longtime bandmate in Those Darlins and the person responsible for finishing Mama Zu's recordings without her. There had been talk of the recordings around town for years but it took time for Regensberg to even restart it.

It’s Saint Patrick’s Day this weekend! So this week for What Where Wednesday, we are highlighting Music City Irish Fest. It’s been happening since March 10th so you can start your celebration as soon as today at venues across the city. Brenda Willis is owner and CEO of the group putting this on this event.

Jenny Lewis is playing the Ryman Auditorium this Wednesday March 13. It's a venue that she's played before but this will be her first time playing it as a Nashville resident. Jenny Lewis talks to Justin Barney about moving to Nashville and playing the Ryman.