Altered Friday Old School Segment Live @ Sonar Friday The 8th : The Underheard Synchronicity

The Most Talked About & Anticipated Tour Of the Summer And They Stop In Baltimore
For The Virgin Music Fest.

July 15th: The Day Internet Music Dies!

On July 15th, public radio station's streaming music could start to go dark. Like Don McLean proffered, it could really be the day the music died. Public Radio stations around the country are joining together to encourage our listeners to email their Congress People in support of HR 2060, the Internet Equality Act.

Links to give you More Information and a way to make your voice heard:
Tell Them Public Matters
Radio and Internet Newsletter
Save Net Radio


This Act would ensure that public radio can continue to do what we do best--bring you a wide variety of music that other radio stations just won't play...and to bring to you on line without cost.

The fees the Copy Right Royalty Board wants to impose on public radio will force many of us, including possibly WTMD, to turn our streams off. Please contact your Congressperson Today. Here is a list of Cosponsors--if your Congress person isn't on this list, please email them and ask to help save Internet Music by Co-sponsoring this bill


It's a big issue and our friends at KCRW have produced a very informative podcast to help us all understand what could happen. The Wall Street Journal has also printed an informative story on the situation. Please click on the tags below to see our other posts on Internet Music.

Steve Yasko
General Manager

Shakin' and Bacon at the Inner Harbor

If you're a fan of DINER, the wonderful Barry Levinson home grown coming of age film, you might want to make your way down to the Inner Harbor's West Shore Park on July 15th. That's when one of the stars of the film, Kevin Bacon, kicks off a musical celebration of the 25th anniversary of DINER, along with his brother Michael. The BACON BROTHERS are part of a Netflix sponsored concert series where actor/musicians who were in the BIG EASY (Dennis Quaid) and ARMAGEDDON (Bruce Willis) perform in the cities the films were shot. The show starts at 7pm, so you can get a degree closer to Kevin. Have you ever played THAT game, BTW?



Michael and Kevin have been quietly making solid, heartfelt roots music-based records for ten years. Hope you get a chance to celebrate them, and a slice a Baltimore movie heritage.

From the Horse's Mouth

Baltimore musicians Hanna Badalova and Jared Fischer—vocalist and lead guitarist for the playful post-punk act Mr. Moccasin—are making their television debuts tonight! That is, their voices are, as animated clay horses in the first episode of Creature Comforts.

This is the American version of the British show by Aardman Animations, the same folks who created Wallace & Gromit. The show airs tonight at 8 PM Eastern on CBS. If you'd like a sneak peak at what the Mr. Moccasin members look and sound like as stop-motion animals, you can check out minutes :30-:15 of this clip:

Balt-Country --- Guest Starring...

Got a chance to see June Star, Caleb Stine & The Brakemen & Among Wolves at the 8x10 last Thursday and each band was on top of their game. And 3 Baltimore bands is a good time in of itself, but there were extras to keep everyone inticed.
June Star's Andrew Grimm never disappoints with the witty banter, but Caleb Stine was a draw for me, because I had never gotten to see him live! Caleb has a way of connecting with his audience that works so well in an intimate club.
Along with his tight group The Brakemen, Caleb had along pedal steel player Dave Hadley. Dave can be regularly seen with Shane Gamble, but MAN, was he an incredible addition!

Opening up the show was Among Wolves, headed by lead guitarists and vocalists
Billy Tiedeken and David Godman. The guys have a rotating cast of characters that play on drums, bass, organ and more. But this past week they also had a little vocal backing from
Kelly Grochmal, a tiny woman with a VERY big voice! With her lead Among Wolves took on "These Boots Are Made For Walkin"and I have to say Kelly was even better than
Nancy Sinatra.

Have you caught any fun and surprising shows around town? Love to hear about your experience!

MySpace tributes Smashing Pumpkins

I've been debating the MySpace scene for about a year now and everytime I think it's time to pull the plug on it something happens where I want to keep my free membership. My reason for staying on there this month is to the tune of Smashing Pumpkins.

Ben Kweller covers "Today" and The Bravery, The Academy Is..., Panic at the Disco and other artists pay tribute to the return of Smashing Pumpkins as well via their MySpace page. Check out Ben Kweller's cover of "Today" here http://myspace.com/benkweller Also Kweller is doing a three night show in NYC this summer where he'll play an album a night...sounds fun!


While your at it, catch the first 2007 tour video from the Smashing Pumpkins

Help Save Internet Radio Including WTMD's Web Stream

Gang
As you know from other posts, Internet radio is in grave danger of going dark. A recent decision by the Copyright Royalty Board would significantly raise the fees public radio stations pay for the rights to stream music. It's a very complicated issue. Please visit Tell Them Public Matters for more information on how you can let your voice be heard on this issue. Here is some more information previously posted.

NPR is currently trying to help Internet radio stay alive, but a July 15th Deadline Looms! Read the story in today's Washington Post.

Thanks for taking the time to read these sites and, if you are moved, for contacting your Representatives to let them know how you feel about this issue. Here is a list of Cosponsors for HR 2060 please check to see if your Congressperson is on the list, if not, please send them an email asking them to become a cosponsor.

Steve the GM

The Autumn Defense- A Great Band Within a Great Band

I'm starting to count the days till the Wilco show at Merriweather Post (6/21). I cannot wait to hear Jeff and the boys play the new songs from SKY BLUE SKY- Jeff has said how absolutely happy he is with the finished product and that this album has been more of a band effort, a collaborative process, than previous Wilco records. And its no wonder. With the avant garde edginess of Nels Cline on guitar, the subtle thunder of Glenn Kotche's drumming and heavy contributions from multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone and longtime bassist John Stirratt...Jeff has surrounded himself with the most talented players since he worked with Jay Farrar in Uncle Tupelo. Pat and John recently put out their third album as the THE AUTUMN DEFENSE- a project that pays homage to sunny and meditative 60's and 70's rock. It's California sunset music and it's one of my favorite albums this year, so far (alongside Wilco, Vietnam, Tim Finn and ALO). Check out this acoustic performance of WINTERLIGHT. That's Pat Sansone on the left and John Stirratt on the right.

It Must Be Summer

Most people like upbeat summer songs, but if barbecues leave you melancholy, The Onion A.V. Club has you covered with its "Inventory: 12 Truly Sad Summer Songs." WTMD's CD of the Month artists Fountains of Wayne came in at #2 for Utopia Parkway's "It Must Be Summer."



Got a favorite sad summer song? Or a favorite upbeat one? Do tell!

Bonus Live From Louisville

Hey! Hope you enjoyed the LIVE FROM LOUISVILLE interviews. We're not done yet! Be on the listen for Sam Sessa's chats with Australian band Augie March, a conversation with Jesca Hoop and Hoots and Hellmouth (a fun bluegrass, rock, revivalist group out of Philly). Thanks to Andrew Lovett for producing the pieces and thanks to you for listening, and hopefully, enjoying them! Cheers.

Live From Louisville Schedule

Great to be back home with you. Louisville was a blast! Tune in all this week for interviews from some of your favorite artists to aritsts we feel are going to make an impact. Enjoy!

Tuesday Morning
7am- Sea Wolf
9am- Ingrid Michaelson

Wednesday Morning
7am- Martin Sexton
9am- Keller Williams

Thursday Morning
7am- Jason Isbell (formerly of the Drive By Truckers)
9am- Paula Cole

Friday Morning
7am- Raul Midon
9am- Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine)

Non Comm Wraps Up With Comebacks and Discoveries

Hola from Louisville! Just wrapping up the last night at Non Comm and what a night it's been. The triumphant return of Paula Cole, long awaited new music from Suzanne Vega and a chat with a former Drive By Trucker who wrote some of their best songs are among the highlights.

Paula brought the public radio heads gathered on the 16th floor of the Brown Hotel to their feet this afternoon. She kicked things off with I'M SO ORDINARY from her debut in '95, HARBINGER. She rolled through new songs from her forthcoming disc, COURAGE and played the amazing TIGER, from THIS FIRE. Even though we'll find out more about why she waited so long to make a record again when I play back my chat with Paula for you this week, it's baffling that she was away from music for seven years- her voice, musicianship and passion couldn't be contained!

Suzanne Vega performed at the theater next door to the hotel for the big closing show tonight. I first saw her in '85 at Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher College...and it dawned on me as she played Tom's Diner, Luka and Left of Center...that it's been twenty two years since I last saw Suzanne and she, and her music, hasn't aged at all. Too bad I can't say the same for me ;)

I talked with Jason Isbell, former guitarist and lyricist for the Drive By Truckers (he wrote DECORATION DAY) and he's looking forward to putting out a Muscle Shoals soul infused album this summer. He's even got some horns on the record.

I wanted to share the story of rhythmic guitarist and soul singer Raul Midon with you. When he was an infant, he and his twin brother were blinded as infants after they spent too long in an incubator without adequate eye protection. He learned jazz at University of Miami...and honed his skills a session singer. He's an absolutely electric performer on an acoustic. Raul's new song about his late Mom, moved a few to tears today. Check out the rhythm and the horn section on this song, SATE OF MIND, and be amazed.


It was personally moving to see so many musicians and those that love and want to share music...interact in this kind of setting. From bands busking in the street, to radio folks talking about their latest discoveries...this amazing experience has been something I hope you'll get a feel for, when I play back conversations from the artists we've met. Artist. You know, everybody had ID badges with their name and station ID that we wore around our neck. But, the musicians wore tags that simply said, "Artist." I hope we bring you closer to them everyday.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for listening. Thanks for loving the music. Good-bye from Louisville. Talk to you Monday morning. Peace.

Erik

From Raging to Watching

Tom Morello is...the Nightwatchman, an observant, acoustic guitar-strumming character that you might find in a coffeehouse singing songs that Billy Bragg could have penned. It's a different image than the buzz-sawing guitar slinger behind Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave.
He's not raging quite as boisterously as in years past, but the Harvard-educated social and political activist puts a quieter brand of protest on ONE MAN REVOLUTION. Sam and I chatted with Tom yesterday. We'll share that conversation with you on the TMD Morning Show next week. Find out if that Rage reunion at Coachella was a one-time event.


More later on an amazing talent with quite a moving back story: Raul Midon. Peace for now.


Erik

Where Has Paula Gone?

That's the question many music fans have been asking for years. Paula Cole's talents and intentions have always moved me personally. When I worked out west in the 90's, I started spinning her debut HARBINGER right away. It's her unwavering honesty in lyrics that take anybody whose awkward teenage years that give songs like I'M SO ORDINARY and BETHLEHEM such resonance for any generation. Then, of course, there's the often misunderstood cowboy song that got her the Best New Artist Grammy and that tune that a certain teen tv show played during every episode. But Paula disappeared from the music scene for eight years. We'll find out why Thursday at 9am on the TMD Morning Show. Tune in. Hope the weather is going to be fantastic for Preakness. Peace.

Erik

PS. More on The Nightwatchman later.

Tom Waits' Nanny and More...

Hey music lovers!

Had a chance to take in an artist you may be hearing about more in the near future. Her name is Jesca Hoop. She writes non-linear, emotionally wrought songs that may bring to mind what would happen if you took Kate Bush's voice and mixed it Tom Waits' delivery. No wonder, Jesca actually was a nanny for Tom Waits and his wife and songwriting partner, Kathleen Brennan. Tom and Kathleen slowly mentored her and helped get a copy of one of her songs in the right hands (Nic Harcourt). Hear my chat with Jesca next week on the TMD Morning Show.

Also, be on the listen for Keller Williams, Martin Sexton and Paula Cole. Yes, Paula! It's been eight years and its good to hear her play music again.

Peace for now.

Erik