Jane Lee Hooker to Rawk Madison

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Last year at Atwoodfest, we were introduced to Jane Lee Hooker who immediately made a lasting impression on many of the people who cauGht their set…..but truly….if you were fortunate enough to hang out with them, you learned right away that these people are real, genuine, cool rockers. They attacked the songs with a ferocious fierceness that seemed to explode out of them, did it all with this unmatched energy and took the familiar and gave it that NYC twists that doesn’t ever really hurt.

Well, they’re coming back!!!

On Sunday, August 27th at 4:30PM at the Orton Park Festival, we welcome our friends from Brooklyn New York back with open, ready to rock AND roll arms. Hightop and I caught up a little about how the band’s year has gone. With a successful album in the rear view mirror now, we spoke about the new release that will be coming out this October and how while there will be a couple covers, this release will be mostly JLH originals. What lead to that in part, was time spent overseas and how much the crowd of fans and now friends I am sure, reacted to their original tunes. I for one, think that getting to know JLH a little more through their own crafted art will certainly lead to another successful collection of tracks. We also spent a little time discussing what it is about places like Madison that help drive the van back to our neighborhood to melt our faces off at one of the many cool festivals this city has to offer.

JLH by Roland Kampfer March 2017

JLH by Roland Kampfer March 2017

The Rhythms of Paa Kow

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Get ready for a new sound you won’t soon forget! The Groove Master, Paa Kow (pronounced Pah-Ko), fuses rhythm and artistry from his home in Ghana with Jazz and African Pop. Fans from all over the world agree that Paa Kow has extraordinary talent and holds “the perfect groove.”

I had the privilege to of talking with this original rhythm creator, Paa Kow before he brings his band to Madison on Wednesday, August 30th at The Frequency. We discussed what people who go get into the sounds live in person will see and hear and feel when this show takes off the ground. We talked about the process of making a new record and knowing when to release it to the people to find out what they think of it, and how striving for that perfect sound can be fine tuned in many settings. The process talk led to words about the soon to be released album, “Cookpot” and how the crowd in Madison will be catching the album release tour, so they’ll taste the newness of these grooves when they are at their freshest. Similar to his other two releases, the album takes listeners on a journey that boldly explores the music of the African Diaspora by fusing Ghanaian Highlife with Jazz, and funk to create his original Afro-Fusion sound. Towards the end of the conversation, we find out what he listens to in order to stay inspired and allow his mind to be opened to the possibilities of creating and composing something completely different.

Oh You Little Devil’d Egg.

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The second portion of this week’s show took the reGular and added some extra to it:

Gypsy Woman- The Isley Brothers & Santana
Damned if You do- Akashic Record
Rules- Courtney Pine Ft. Omar
Lickin’ Lips- Korpifunk
~
Spider Wolf- Polyrhythmics
Hook & Crook- Antibalas
I No Know- Chicago Afrobeat Project w/Tony Allen Ft. Ugochi
~
Ballygunge- The Bombay Royale
(Mera Nam Hai) Lucky- The Bombay Royale
Cypher- The Andy Tolman Cartel
~~
Outro- Joe Marcinek Band
Slink- Joe Marcinek Band
Bernie- Joe Marcinek Band
**Pre-recorded Conversation with Joe Marcinek**
George Washington- Joe Marcinek Band
~~~
Reprise of Us- The Pollyseeds
Funny How Time Flies- The Pollyseeds Ft. Rpbert Glasper & Terrace Martin
Trafficer- Matt Wilson
Snatch of Sliphorn Jazz- Matt Wilson
Lights and Colors- Jared Sims
~~
Ache- (U)nity
F.E.A.R. (Forget Everything And Rise)- (U)nity
Thing with Feathers- E Scott Lindner
The Sitcom- Sidewalk Chalk

Flamingo-a-go-go

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The first portion of the proGram took to the gardens for a short respite.

When I’m Sixty Four- San Francisco String Trio
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band- San Francisco String Trio
~~
Metronome- King Cardinal
Gasoline- King Cardinal
**Pre-recorded conversation with members of King Cardinal**
Better- King Cardinal
~~
Lulu’s Back in Town- Steve Howell & Jason Weinheimer
Limehouse Blues – After You’ve Gone- Steve Howell & Jason Weinheimer
Baby it Must Be Love- Joshua Jacobson
2:19- The Jerry Douglas Band
Hey Joe- The Jerry Douglas Band
~~
Gonna Lose my Lady- Altered Five Blues Band
Hold Your Tongue- Johnny Oskam
Bad Thing- Webster Ave
She’s $$$- Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
~~~
Estrangeira- Mosquitos
Lateral Alice- Ride
~~~
Vimana- Chariots
Come On- Living Color
Goddamn Real to Me ’91 (Remastered)- Divine Weeks
I Want to Take You Higher (Remastered)- Divine Weeks

King Cardinal’s Denver Americana

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I had the chance to spend a little time chatting with Texanna, Brennan and Ben of King Cardinal before they head to Madison on August 17th to play The Frequency. Hailed by Marquee Magazine for their “excellently crafted Americana” and Westword for their “raw, gut-wrenching emotion,” Denver’s King Cardinal push raw roots rock into lush, sonically daring territory with hints of cosmic country and delicate folk. Building off the success of two acclaimed EPs as well as dates with Ben Sollee, Sam Outlaw, and Darlingside (in addition to a performance at the iconic Telluride Bluegrass Festival), the band is set to release their debut album, ‘Great Lakes,’ which was recorded over seven days at Texas’ famed Sonic Ranch Studio with GRAMMY-winning producer/engineer Ted Young (Israel Nash, Banditos).

In this conversation, the trio explains a little about what the Madison crowd can expect to see and hear when they get a live taste next week. We took a good amount of time discussing their first proper album set to be released towards the end of September and how all the time spent together has allowed for the release to be refined and and reflected upon while taking the bare bones and collectively providing the skin and orGans to be masterfully applied into place. We tapped into the Telluride experience and what I found very interesting was the “What have you been dialed into musically yourselves” question and what they have been putting into their ears as they get a little down time or on travel days. It also turns out that living near the Colorado mountains and all that it offers is a great place for these artists to relax, refresh and escape it all when needed.

King Cardinal

Block Partying with Joe Marcinek

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When last we spoke with Joe Marcinek, he was coming to town with friend of the proGram, Dr. Bernie Worrell. What a treat!! This time around he will be bringing the Joe Marcinek Band to the 5th Annual Schenk’s Corners Block Party on Friday, August 18th.

This stop through, Joe will be bringing an ALL-STAR cast (as usual) with him! Featuring Joey Porter from The Motet on keys, Pete Koopmans from Family Groove Company on drums, and Buddy Pearson from FREEK JOHNSON on bass. Joe tells me of the contributions each of these folks have played parts in throughout the history and the present of the band. We paint the funky landscape of what could be expected in an ever-evolving set from these cats and how the vibe of the people, those who go and show, create the newness of today while the jammin’ is happening.

Joe and I spend some time talking about the newest album, “Slink” and how it came to fruition, the impact of his circle of fans and friends alike to make this latest musical story complete, and how doing it in a way that fits right for the pieces of the puzzle, makes all the difference in an album’s creation. The band will be featuring much of “Slink” while here in Madison and as someone who has been sharing those grooves to the listeners, this is a much set get-down-to-the-sound event. It is clear that Joe appreciates the scene and those wo make it up here in Madison, so let’s return that love on the 18th.

No Joke Game of Statue

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The second portion of the proGram went way back in time to a space frozen in:

Long Time Coming- Sidewalk Chalk
How- Sidewalk Chalk Ft. Chris Turner
Coast to Coast- Adam Turchin Ft. Rose Gold
My Mind Is Moving So Crazy- Adam Turchin Ft. Brandon Ashe & Robert SPUT Searight
Bakerville- HUW
Adam & Eve (edit)- Cameron Graves
~~
The Life Aquatic- Moon Boots
Sun Comes Out- Eliot Lipp
Already Found (Great Dane Remix)- Lafa Taylor & Aabo
Sable- Edamame Ft. Tor
~~
Eveil- Labelle
Grand Maître- Labelle Ft. Ballaké Sissoko
Raise a Cup of Kindness- Lenkkodek (Weightless Dub Mix)
Memories in my Pentagon- Gaudi
Bambro Koyo Ganda- Bonobo Ft. Innov Gnawa
~~
A Common Wonder- Amerigo Gazaway
RoboBeez- The Bombay Royale
~~~
War- Tackhead (Rob Smith Dub Remix)
Verfuhrung (Seduction)- Chache
Soul Journey- Slick Sax
Come Link Me Girl- Sizzla
~
Skunkitological Conclusions- Ron Kadish
Aztec Riddim- Coldcut & On U Sound

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Doors

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The first portion of this week’s proGram made it hard to get in, but not able to get out:

Twerkin’ Lil’ Mama- Joshua Jacobson
Bipolar Mama- Joshua Jacobson
My Man’s Got a Cold- Paul Kelly Ft. Vika Bull
~~
On My List to Quit- Altered Five Blues Band
The Hookers (If You Miss ’em, I Got ’em)- George Thorogood
One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer- George Thorogood (Live From Rockline)
~~
Turn Off the Lights- Psychic Temple
And so To Bed- Kris Gietkowski
I Become Your Shadows as Night Enhales a Day- Undone
Service With a Smile- The Gold Needles
Unicycle Monologue- The Insektlife Cycle
Magic Dawn- Red Sun
~
The Wolf- Strange Majik
Pretty Little Pony- Strange Majik
Preachin’ (to the choir)- Divine Weeks
Think- Divine Weeks
Love, Peace, Happiness- The Isley Brothers & Santana
~~~
Hard Shelled Manner- Akashic Record
Before the Storm- Harold Little
Stanky Weed- Harold Little
For the Children Hourglass and Anthem Rewerc- Chantae Cann
Car Vibe- Trevor Lawrence Jr
Huh- Trevor Lawrence Jr Ft. Maurice Mo”Betta” Brown & Chelsea Baratz

Red Light Guide

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The second set of this week’s proGram needed just a little mapping to get us where we needed to be:

The G- Big Mean Sound Machine
Another Grain of Sand- Big Mean Sound Machine
Afro Party- Chicago Afrobeat Project w/Tony Allen Ft. Oranmiyan
Love Me No Mo- A.J. Ghent Band
~~
Getting Up- Akashic Record
Everyone has Their Days- Joe Marcinek Band
Mirrors- Naughty Professor Ft. Cole DeGenova & Alexi Marti
Darker Daze- Naughty Professor Ft. Chali 2na & Dexter Gilmore
~~
El Diablo- Cameron Graves
We Burn You Down- Sidewalk Chalk
**Pre-recorded C0nversation with Charles Coffeen of Sidewalk Chalk**
Dig- Sidewalk Chalk
~~
First of Her Name- Toussaint Morrison
Horror Show- DJ Shadow Ft. Danny Brown
Cult 45- Shredders
~
Samurai- Bonobo
Playing at the End of the Universe- Labelle
She’s Undressed to Kill- Tape Five
Interlude Paradise Lost- Tape Five
Interlude Sophisticated Simplicity- Tape Five
~~
Come From Far- New Kingston
Can’t Hold it- Name Brand Sound & Sonar’s Ghost
Maddie’s Dub- Born Ina Barn

Purple Reign

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The first portion of today’s proGram took to the purple in the sky for guidance:

Little House on the Hill- Willie Nelson
Still Not Dead- Willie Nelson
Codependent Katie- Joshua Jacobson
Long Lonesome Day- Joshua Jacobson
~~
Charmed & Dangerous- Altered Five Blues Band
61 Highway- North Mississippi AllStars
Find it in Your Heart- Michael McDonald
~~
SW Georgia- Gladys Lazer
Welcome to Adamstown- Flogging Molly
Copper Wire- Divine Weeks
~~
253 (Sunshine)- Opel
Ode to the Mustang- Fast Cars
Feel it Now- The Striped Bananas
~~
Are You Ready- The Isley Brothers & Santana
Serendipity- Maurice MOBETTA Brown
Love on Me- Michon Young
Feeling Alright- Michon Young
What’s Going on?- Charles Owens Quartet
~~
Dear Prudence- Adam Ben Ezra
The Good The Bad The Ugly- Arthur Vint & Associates
Death Rides a Horse- Arthur Vint & Associates
~~~
Be My Girl- Eamon
July (Sly & Robbie’s Dub)- Tuxedo

Sidewalk Chalk Heads To Madison

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As someone who puts his ears to the NOW and FUTURE of art being created, sonically or otherwise, it is always refreshing to find one of those group of people coming toGether to make something that I wish I was involved in. Music with a sense…art with senses. I believe that is what I have found in the group Sidewalk Chalk. They combine humanity with hip hop, jazz and soul to create a message for the body and the mind.

Sidewalk Chalk will be in Madison on Thursday, August 3rd at The Frequency. I was able to catch up with Charles and he helped chalk up a mental image of what those in attendance will see before the first note explodes. We spent time talking about the sharpness within their fourth full-length album, “An Orchid Is Born”, on Ropeadope Records which was produced by Grammy Award-winner Robert “Sput” Searight. This is the album that Sidewalk Chalk believes they have truly always been trying to make. They have grown as people in all sorts of directions since they first started and this release has woven many of these experiences and the happening of today into that next step of music, that next step of life and for us, the listener….that next step of listening and feeling. This album is cerebral, dance-able and thoughtful, and I as a sharer of sound, look forward to curating it into set-lists into the future.

Charles shared what he has been listening to on many of the long drives, as this group takes their show out and on the road often, and being with the people in different spots is key to driving them into their next set of experiences. We here in Madison get to be some of the lucky ones to share in a moment with them as they bring that sharpness and mind moving grooves here for us to join in the difference making.

What You Are Faced With

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The extra hour third portion of the proGram made you look at yourself and others a little differently:

Deep Water- Landon McNamara
Tomorrow People- Ziggy Marley (Live at KCRW)
Black Cat- Ziggy Marley (Live at KCRW)
~~
Bilonda- Kasai Allstars
Salongo Pt.1- Tabu Ley Rochereau & Afrisa
Salongo Pt.2- Tabu Ley Rochereau & Afrisa
Amampondo- Miriam Makeba (live)
Mobutu Praise Song- Abeti
~~
Kachoo- TIMBILA with Chartwell Dutiro
Walking the Pink Fire- TIMBILA with Chartwell Dutiro
Second Interlude- Ron Kadish
***Sneaky Alex greenarrowradio promo***
Tutto Boogaloo- Ron Kadish
~~~~
Eh Ya Ye- Trio Da Kali & Kronos Quartet
Future Calculations- A Tree Grows
~~~
Urge- Lila Downs
Envidia- Lila Downs
La Enganadora- Rubén Gonzáles

Who U?

The Light in Your Eyes

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The second portion of this week’s show had the reflection of the liGht provided by your reactions to the sonic journey. We feature conversations with Joe/Luke of PHO and Kofi Baker, son of the immortal Mr. Ginger Baker as they head to Madison this coming weekend for AtwoodFest. Come and shine:

Unwind- Gregory Howe
Bid You Goodnight- North Mississippi Allstars
Bottoms Up- John Pagano Band
Trouble on heels- John Pagano Band
~~
High is Not the Top- Chris Robinson Brotherhood
~~~
Do What You Like- Kofi Baker’s Cream Experience
**Pre-recorded conversation with Kofi Baker**
Do What You Like- Kofi Baker’s Cream Experience
~~~
Funk Opus #2- Galen Weston Band
Wildside- Rob Wasserman
Born on a Bus- MMW ft. Mister Rourke
greenarrowradio Theme Song- Mister Rourke
~~
Crescent Roll- Joe Marcinek Band
Well Run Dry- Phat Phunktion (live at High Noon Saloon)
Where I Lived Beofre- Gemma & the Travellers
#2- PHO
**Pre-recorded conversation with Joe/Luke of PHO**
Still Waiting- PHO
Race Hustle- Chicago Afrobeat Project Ft. Tony Allen W/JC Brooks
~~
Come Alive- Root Shock
Boss Battle- Root Shock

liGht of Yours

AtwoodFest to be PHO Funked

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PHO is a Twin Cities funk band creating a new “Minneapolis sound” utilizing modern taste and classic influences to break musical boundaries. While never forgetting the rhythms and grooves of those who came before them, PHO is striving to carry the torch into the instrumental future of funk with incredibly rich originals that take us back, while groovin’ us forward. They have been acquiring new fans with each appearance, they attracted a truly unexpected fan when Prince caught a live performance from their YouTube page, which prompted an invite to open for the incomparable Mr. Larry Graham (Graham Central Station) at the iconic Paisley Park . That performance triggered another Prince Tweet: “Come back anytime. Just Holla”. Having the blessing of “The Purple One” before his untimely death has pushed PHO to continue cultivating the Minneapolis sound’s legacy that has inspired so many to fall in love with the feeling. Truthfully, does it get much better than that for these young men, or anyone?

I had the opportunity to catch up with guitarist, Joe Paris, and trumpet player Lukas Skrove before they head to Madison for their Sunday, July 30th at 12:15 P.M. set on The Madison Heritage Stage for AtwoodFest 2017. We spoke about that moment when Prince reached out to them with an offer of a lifetime and how they have taking that gift from him and used it as a springboard to keep that special sound alive. They painted a picture of what unfamiliar fest-goers can expect when they hit the stage and why they love to keep coming back to Madison. We dove into how all their new found funky friends and experiences helped create the newest release, Two. For this release, there was no shortage of vintage vibe amidst a playground of old ‘70s synths and classic guitars, all articulated in the expansive array of musical colors ever-present throughout the mix. At the end of the chat, we find out what television show the boys think they could remake the theme song for….it will most likely make you hungry.

If you are close to Madison this coming weekend, maybe you need yourself a good funkin’….with the ins and outs provided by PHO.

The funky fellas of PHO

Walk This Weigh

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The first portion of this week’s proGram attempted to take you down this path:

Fire (interlude)- Harts
Deeper the Hole- Harts
Lift Me Up (Leave Me Here)- Brent Cowles
Another Mistake- Lo Tom
~
Was it a Dream?- Bob Keelaghan & Muerte Pan Alley
Under the Sheets- Bob Keelaghan & Muerte Pan Alley
*greenarrowradio promo- Antry*
Devil Gone Fishing- Anrty
~~
Lonliness Road- Jamie Saft/Steve Swallow/Bobby Previte Ft. Iggy Pop
Love That is a Feeling- Opel
Krautrock ’17 (Sleepyard, Nightmare Mix)- The NoMen
Natural Born Star- The NoMen
~
The Heart of My Heart- Undone
Dripping- Undone
The Nature of the Echo- Undone
Gabba Haze for the Nuke- The Spookers
~
Silent River Ride- The Green Ray
I Question- Fast Cars
Smiling Colors- The Striped Bananas
Broken Wings- Kris Gietkowski

Walk THIS WeiGh

Kofi Baker’s Cream Experience at AtwoodFest

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As the son of legendary drumming icon Ginger Baker, Kofi Baker has a name that’s synonymous with drumming excellence. Kofi certainly lives up to his namesake; with his outstanding skills, drive, and dedication, he continues the great Baker legacy.

Kofi’s first live performance was with his father on the UK television show “The Old Grey Whistle Test” – at just six years of age he proved he had inherited more than just his fathers name.In the early 80’s, Kofi and his father played drum duets throughout Europe, amazing audiences with complex African polyrhythms. Later, Kofi toured with the miGhty John Ethridge (Soft Machine), and gigged in London with Steve Waller (Manfred Mann), and with Randy California (Spirit). He also toured Europe with Steve Marriot’s Humble Pie.

On Saturday, July 29th on the Madison Heritage Stage at 4:15P.M., Kofi brings the Cream Experience to Madison Wisconsin to help celebrate Summer with a good strong, innovative jam as part of AtwoodFest. I had the opportunity to talk with Kofi about what those in attendance will see and hear, more than the original sounds accustomed to the band, Cream, there will be other interpretations of Hendrix, Blind Faith and even The Beatles. Kofi hope to meld the older crowd who dig his father’s legendary music with a younger festival going crowd to take this Jam Band scene to the next level. Sounds like something to be a part of as it is equally exciting for the band while turning on a family friendly, open-minded Madison crowd. Rest assure, Kofi states that while the backbone of the familiar is there, the spirit of Cream as being a founding Jam Band scene creator, will be in full bloom with in the moment improvisational music making. We spoke about how he has high quality musicians stashed throughout the U.S. for touring and creating purposes and in Madison, it’ll be obvious that he always picks the cream of the crop.

In or Out of The Water

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The second portion of this week’s show wondered if you were going in or staying out. it also featured a portion of the conversation with a couple of members of Mydy Rabycad, as they took to the Madison scene for their first North American tour:

All is Well- Benjamin Booker
Run Red Rooster- North Mississippi Allstars
Stealin’- North Mississippi Allstars
When We die- Tricky Ft. Martina Topley Bird
Bottoms Up- John Pagano Band
~~
Outro- Nooky Jones
Dreaming About You- Nooky Jones
Possible- Selina Albright
~
Don’t Destroy the Funk- Phat Phunktion (live at High Noon Saloon)
Closer to the Spirit Pt. 1- Eric Boss
Closer to the Spirit Pt. 2- Eric Boss
Without a Trace- Nutty Professor Ft. Benny Bloom
~~
Sunday Song- Chicago Afrobeat Project w/Tony Allen Ft. JC Brooks
I Love You Love You- The Bombay Royale
Burning Instinct- Red Baraat
Rise Up- Mydy Rabycad (live)
**Pre-recorded conversation with members of Mydy Rabycad**
~~~
Good Times- Havana Maestros Ft. Chic
Tightrope- Havana Maestros Ft. Janelle Monae
Al Monte- Palo!
Puente a Mi Gente- Jose Conde y ola Fresca
~~
Allah Hu- Barmer Boys
Bole To Mitho Lage- Barmer Boys
Sia- Massa Dembele
Opus 12.No.7- Gaudi

Leaves Eat Space

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The first portion of the program was orGanic on orGanic:

Struttin’ With Some Barbecue- Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons with Phil Wiggins
Bad Man Ballad- Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons with Phil Wiggins
Lay Baby Lay- Cary Morin
~
The Desolate Slide- Bob Keelaghan & Muerte Pan Alley
Rumble on the Mountain- Bob Keelaghan & Muerte Pan Alley
Coo Clucks Clown- Bob Keelaghan & Muerte Pan Alley
Just Plain Sick- Jim Allchin
~~~
New- Maw Paw
The Last Refugee- Roger Waters
To Heaven & Back- Baby In Vain
Suicides & Lazy Eyes- Rainer Maria
~~
Secretion of The Wafer- Anton Barbeau
Look at the Sun- Fuchsia Song
The Band- Fuchsia Song
Oasis of Time- The Striped Bananas
~
Lazin’ in the Afternoon- Alain Pire Experience
Mr. Soul- Fast Cars
Decline and Fall- Kris Gietkowski
Everyday- Jamie Saft/Steve Swallow/Bobby Previte Ft. Iggy Pop
~
Puck- Rob Gould
Always on the Ground- The Radiation Flowers
We Can Make it Look Like an Accident- Monobrow
Hot Dog- Three Dimensional Tanx
Astral Plane Flight Attendant- Three Dimensional Tanx

Mydy Rabycad in Madison

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We are always so lucky here in Madison when the summer rolls around and we are fortunate to have culture travel to us. This coming weekend, La Fête De Marquette will once aGain provide a great opportunity to catch some acts you might not otherwise get a chance to bump into. One such act is out of the Czech Republic, Mydy Rabycad. They create and electro-swing or glamtronic sound that has people around the globe up and moving their bodies. I had a chance to chat with Mikulas and JohnyD of the band from Canada, as they are making their first trip to North America and we are going to get a dose of them this weekend. We talked about what the festival goers can expect from their sound, their audience interactions and the music they create and how it translates into a wild time o=f dancing. I assured them that Madison is a home for some eclectic dance moves. We talked about how it is more likely for a group out of the Czech Republic to get known better once they leave town and broaden their listener-ship, as well as how their relationships together have strengthened their live and produced works. We touch briefly on how times have changed for them as they are working on studio album number three, and how the growth of a band and the doors that get opened by others really assist in making it all happen.

I am thinking the dust will fly this week end, and the group will have a few more reasons to head home happy and with more fans as they leave North America behind, but not until we give them a taste of Madison first.

Sunny Jain Revisited

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It’s always nice to catch up with friends from times aGo. Had a chance to do just that with Sunny Jain, as Red Baraat makes their way back to Madison on July 15th at the Union Terrace and then July 16th at La Fête de Marquette. We spoke about what a newcomer to the band could expect to see and hear when checking our Red Baraat at either of these Madison stops. We had a chance to walk down memory lane and discuss the difference of landscape between when the group first came here years ago versus where they are at sound-wise and production-wise today as they released “Bhangra Pirates” in March of 2017. It is always a pleasure to learn how the paths have changed throughout the years and how life plays into the way we do what we do, musically and otherwise.Madison holds a special place in this group’s heart, and I am sure we will return the love on the upcoming weekend. Comprised of eight musicians who can whip a crowd into a frenzy with an unprecedented, high energy, gut-busting fusion of jazz, hip-hop beats, rock muscle, funky go-go, and scalding hot bhangra. A horn section blares, percussionists pound, the guitarists rips, everybody shouts, and the group’s charismatic leader, Sunny Jain, holds the explosive songs together with rhythms from his dhol – the Indian double-headed drum played slung over the shoulder that provides bhangra with its frenetic heartbeat. This energy blast is always opening the door to newness in front of crowds, let’s have Madison respond in similar fashion by being itself, ready for anything. And if you were wondering what Sunny would air if I gave up a half hour or so of the proGram, well he clues us in at the end of this conversation..some interesting stuff, as I would expect.