WNXP Podcasts

Philly hardcore? Indie? Punk? band Mannequin Pussy is our Record of the Week on WNXP. The album was brought to light in an effort with super producer John Congleton and shows Mannequin Pussy in their fullest dynamic range, from a screaming rage that burns with the heat of a thousand suns, but also, the hushed tones of a brushed drum stick playing softly under delicately delivered lyrics from Missy Dabice.

This week for What Where Wednesday, we discuss Charles “Wigg” Walker’s Soul Brunch at Acme Feed & Seed with co-owner Lauren Morales and drummer for the Nashville soul legend Pete Abott. The building at 101 Broadway has served many tenants since 1890 — from Southern Soda Works to Tennessee Wholesale Drug company and a few transfer and storage operations. In 2014, Tom Morales and his partners leased the building and turned it into a rare spot on Lower Broad that is inclusive of all music.

Nashville native Jess Awh hated country music. Until she moved away and started missing home. Now she’s back and she’s written an album that is country in its core but also dabbles in long extensions of layers of found sound that she has been collecting since she was 15, big droning guitar. For Nashvillians there are detailed references to what it’s like to drive on Dickerson Pike after a DRKMTR show after 11 o’clock at night and the relatable song title, “Downtown Sucks You Can’t Park Anymore.” Jess Awh’s band is Bats and their new album, Good Game Baby is our Record of the Week.

Legendary hip hop trio De La Soul released the 35th anniversary of their debut album 3 Feet High and Rising featuring some previously unreleased records. Around this time last year their music became available to fans on streaming platforms for the first time and Maseo of De La Soul spoke to WNXP’s Marquis Munson back in 2023 about the impact of their music being released on streaming services, sampling, the impact of producer Prince Paul and celebrates the life of fellow member Trugoy the Dove. 

If one generation found Nashville inhospitable to their hip-hop and R&B ambitions, what about the next wave of artists? And what role could Lovenoise play for them? After 20 years of mounting influence for the company, the final chapter of “Making Noise” examines the work that is still to come.

This week for What Where Wednesday, we discuss Analog Soul - A Celebration of Making Noise with Jewly Hight and Nicole Kemp. Nashville Public Radio’s podcast series Making Noise tells the story of the music promotion company Lovenoise, who for 20 years provided a platform for Black music and reaching underserved audiences across generations. The final episode airs tomorrow, and the event at the Hutton Hotel will be a celebration of Lovenoise's journey through conversation, spoken word and music. Senior music writer Jewly Hight spoke to me about the series reaching its conclusion. 

Real Estate, a band with New Jersey roots but now spread out around the country, convened in Nashville to lay down their sixth LP, Daniel. A return to some of the early sounds of Real Estate -- uncomplicated, melody-forward, easy and breezy indie rock -- 'Daniel' showcases the songwriting of frontman Martin Courtney, who spoke with Celia about his vision for this full-length. Also reached to talk about the making of WNXP's Record of the Week was Daniel Tashian, the Nashville-based artist and producer who led Courtney and his bandmates through a quick, nine-day recording blitz in RCA Studio A on Music Row.

By the early 2010s, Nashville was exploding as a destination for tourists and new residents. If Lovenoise wanted to make a difference in a city on the rise, they’d need to figure out how to tap into that growth — and try to make sure music-makers holding down the R&B and hip-hop scenes didn’t get left behind. Or pushed out.

This week for What Where Wednesday, we discuss Regeneration Live at The Blue Room with jazz trumpet player Rod McGaha and Nashville hip-hop artist Mike Floss. The latter is known for his immersive shows from his Contraband EP release show to the Meat and Three series. Now, the father and son duo will perform together this Saturday night to bring together their respective social movement and visual art.

Keyon Harrold has showcased his trumpet playing for various artists in the studio and on the road, most notable Jay-Z on his 2007 hit “Roc Boys (And the Winner Is).” The trumpeter from Ferguson, Missouri started playing around the age of six studying the greats from Miles Davis to Clifford Brown and Clark Terry. His journey led him to a jazz camp in Colorado when he was a teenager, that’s where he met future collaborators Robert Glasper and Terrace Martin. Touring with Common for his breakout album Like Water for Chocolate in the early 2000s. Although grateful for the opportunities to share the studio or stage supporting different artists, he has branched out into his own work. Harrold and his trumpet are back front and center on his third solo project Foreverland.