Ra Ra Riot on Altered Fridays

When news broke that Ra Ra Riot was releasing a new album this year, Tyler immediately started itching for it. The band's debut, The Rhumb Line, was a standout in 2008. And their visit to WTMD resulted in a great version of "Dying Is Fine," which appeared on Live From WTMD, Vol. 3 (available with a $65 pledge).


Tune in to Altered Fridays at 4 p.m. Friday as Tyler welcomes lead singer Wes Miles and cellist Alexandra Lawn to discuss the new album, The Orchard, and deliver some acoustic versions of new songs.  

Jesse Malin on Morning Sessions

Jesse Malin is a thirty-year veteran of the New York music scene. He performed with Heart Attack in the 1980's and D Generation in the '90s before setting out on a successful solo career. But in the midst of the recent economic recession, he had second thoughts about his career path. 

“I ended up in a spot where I was living on my sister’s couch. And then I found myself back down on the Bowery area, where I grew up playing CBGB’s. I was just busted broke, lost and I felt like it maybe was time to try something else,"he says. "I tried dj’ing weddings. I tried working on a couple of films. I tried some standup comedy and spoken word. Eventually, I got asked to write some songs for a film on J.D. Salinger and . . . realized that this is what I do."

A rejuvenated Malin returned to the studio and teamed up with producer Ted Hutt (Lucero, The Gaslight Anthem) to record a fast, loose and raw record. Tune in at 9:20 a.m. Friday as Jesse Malin and The St. Marks Social showcase their literate, weathered Big Apple punk with songs from the new album Love It To Life. 

The Christmas Lights Shine on Baltimore Unsigned

Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday as Baltimore Unsigned welcomes back The Christmas Lights. The Frostburg-based band started as a solo project by vocalist and guitarist Kenny Tompkins. "The band was formed to play those songs [from the debut Walk Like a Human], and just see how it went," he recalls. "People reacted fairly strongly to the sound of the band playing the songs, maybe even in some cases, even more than the record." 

On the forthcoming album, tentatively titled Getting Born, the group is exploring new opportunities bridge the gap between its indie rock and electronic influences. “If you’re holding an instrument that you’re familiar with, like a guitar or bass guitar, you so easily fall into rock and roll clichés," Tompkins says. "We’ve written a lot of songs and been like, ‘That’s pretty good,’ and then listen to it a week later and been like, ‘But it’s just the same old rock and roll that has existed for a long time.” And that’s not exactly what our band is about."

The Christmas Lights perform at Dante’s in Frostburg on Saturday, September 18.

CD of the Week: Everything Under the Sun

In early 2009, Jukebox the Ghost stopped by WTMD to perform selections from their stellar independent debut, Let Live and Let Ghosts. The Philly-based trio also previewed a new song called "Empire." A year and a half--and 10,000+ Ghosts sold--later, "Empire" appears as a standout track on the band's new album Everything Under the Sun.

Fans of Ben Folds can get a recommended allowance of piano-powered rock on the new album. And, in case you missed them on The Late Show with David Letterman, you have two chances to catch the band this Friday.

Jukebox the Ghost appears at Sound Garden at 6:30 p.m. Friday September 17th. The band plays a full show later that night at Sonar.

Eric Lindell's Acoustic Stop at WTMD

Hours before New Orleans-based blues rocker Eric Lindell takes the stage at the Recher Theatre on Thursday, September 9th, he'll return to WTMD for a special acoustic set with afternoon host John Mathews. 

A longtime friend of the station, Lindell always delivers an incredible live set, as witnessed during his Morning Sessions performance earlier this year. Tune in at 5 p.m. Thursday as Lindell previews selections from his new album Between Motion and Rest. 

Mike McFadden Goes It Alone on Baltimore Unsigned

When Mike McFadden returned to the studio after a three-year hiatus, he had a ton of new songs and a DIY work ethic. 

"I didn't have the time or resources to gather a bunch of people, so I took it upon myself," he says. "I played banjo, bass, guitar, and sang. Paul Rubio played drums, and we cranked out 15 songs. If this EP does well, I can come back in six months and put out more."

Tune in to Baltimore Unsigned at 8 p.m. Tuesday as Mike previews songs from his self-titled album during a special show recorded at the Bunker Recording Studio.

Fanfarlo on Morning Sessions

Tune in a 9 a.m. Friday for an encore edition of Morning Sessions with Fanfarlo. The London-based band visited WTMD earlier this year to perform selections from their debut, Reservoir. The album showcased a charming blend of orchestral-flavored art rock that extended to their live shows.  

"We take our own sort-of bunting with flags and lighting," said bassist Justin Finch. "And the first thing we do when we get to a venue is set up, decorate and make it our own. And yeah, we're into our own dust bowl carnival sort-of thing."

The Water Rises on Baltimore Unsigned

The instrumental rock group The Water can be traced back to a natural source. "James [Klink] and I have known each other since kindergarten," says Dan Cohan. "We used to go down to [the park] to light fires, build rafts and do other things that ten-year-olds do. We referred to that activity as 'going down to the water.' We thought it was a good nod to our past. It's also kind of a ballsy name because it's impossible to Google."

Although the band is hard to divine--especially since their 2009 and 2010 E.P.s are both self-titled--their elaborate soundscapes are worth seeking out. "We started with guitars, drums and keyboards," says Cohan. "We kept adding to it and saying 'One more thing.' I think we're at a good level now . . . . and we can't fit any more in the car."


Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday (with an encore edition at 9 a.m. Saturday) to catch The Water on Baltimore Unsigned.

The Water performs at the Monument City Scavenger Hunt Party at Sonar on Saturday, July 24th.

Secret Mountains Revealed on Baltimore Unsigned

The psychedelic rock band Secret Mountains formed in the wake of The Owls Go, a duo featuring guitarist Jeffrey Lewis Silverstein and vocalist Kelly Laughlin. "There were some conveniences to being in a duo, but I think we were getting bored," Silverstein says. "We had these nice songs that people liked, but we wanted more rhythm."

In their quest, Silverstein and Laughlin rounded out the ensemble to include bass, percussion and keyboards. The additional personnel built a fuller sound--and a shift in the songwriting. "Our songs have gotten a lot less linear," says Laughlin. "We have to have everyone else because they all are an integral part of our music."

The resulting five-song E.P., Kaddish, garnered raves from the local music press, including City Paper and Aural States. Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday (with an encore edition at 9 a.m. Saturday) and discover Secret Mountains for yourself.

Secret Mountains performs at The Hexagon on August 23rd.



Secret Mountains - Dead Sea from Secret Mountains on Vimeo.

Truth and Salvage Co. Bring Heavenly Harmonies to Morning Sessions

Truth and Salvage Co.'s "Call Back" is an irresistible part of our summer soundtrack, featuring soaring harmonies from the band's four principal songwriters. The six-piece collective honed its Americana sound during late-night jam sessions at the famous L.A. folk club Hotel Café and caught the attention of The Black Crowes' Chris Robinson.

Last year Robinson produced the band's self-titled debut for his Silver Arrow label. "He was great at picking out how to phrase things," says vocalist/guitarist Tim Jones. "Losing one syllable or one word out of a line can change the whole way you can sing it."


Tune in at 9 a.m. Friday as Jones and his bandmates visit WTMD for an in-studio performance and interview on on Morning Sessions.

Smooth Kentucky's Bluegrass Blend on Baltimore Unsigned

Smooth Kentucky found inspiration on the back of a whiskey bottle. 

"The Baltimore Brewing Company used to have a bluegrass happy hour every Friday night," says guitarist/vocalist Ed Hough. "[Guitarist/vocalist Cris Jacobs] had a connection with the girl who put it on, and she told him to put together a bluegrass band. He called me up and we needed a name because the City Paper was about to go to print.  We got 'smooth Kentucky' off the back of a whiskey bottle and it stuck."

It's a fitting representation for the six-piece band's blend of new grass and Grateful Dead roots.

Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday (with an encore broadcast at 9 a.m. Saturday) as the band performs selections from its 2009 release A Few More Miles-- and previews some new songs--during a special performance and interview recorded at The Bunker Recording Studio.

Smooth Kentucky performs at Mick O'Shea's on Friday, July 16.

Tift Merritt Returns to WTMD

Singer-songwriter Tift Merritt stopped by WTMD this afternoon during our summer fund drive. In addition to recording a full performance for Morning Sessions--which we'll air at 9 a.m. Friday, June 25--she treated our staff, volunteers and listeners to a live performance of "Mixtape," a standout single from her new album See You On The Moon. (View more photos, courtesy of volunteer Cindi Jansohn, on our Facebook page.)

Tift is an incredible artist and her new work is in the good hands of Tucker Matine, whom we last heard playing and producing Laura Veirs' July Flame.

Tift's relationship to WTMD dates back to her amazing set during our 5th Birthday Party. We're thrilled to have Tift back at WTMD--and we can't wait to share the complete performance next week.

If you value this type of programming on WTMD, pledge your support by calling 410-704-8970 or making a secure online donation. 

First Thursday Concert with Joshua James and Paul Masson

Kick off the Fourth of July weekend by joining thousands of music lovers for the next installment in WTMD's free First Thursday Concert Series at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 1st, in West Mt. Vernon Park.

Joshua James is a rising star on the Americana scene. His 2009 album, Build Me This, landed on numerous year-end, best-of lists on the strength of standout tracks like "Coal War" and "Magazine." James has developed a captivating live show while touring with artists such as John Mayer, David Gray and Ani Difranco, and he's coming to perform for you on July 1st.

Baltimore's own Paul Masson kicks off the show at 5:30 p.m. The singer-songwriter has spent much of 2010 on the road, making a name for himself throughout the northeast. His vocal stylings and intensity have garnered comparisons to Ray LaMontagne. And his songwriting harkens back to the era of Neil Young's Harvest.

Masson shared the bill with Joshua James during a memorable show at the 8 x 10 in October 2009.

Joshua James - "Weeds" from Townhall on Vimeo.

Colin Gowel's Superior Solo Debut

A couple months ago, afternoon host John Mathews received a copy of Colin Gawel's  EP Superior. The title track chronicles a dissolved marriage by the greatest of the Great Lakes, where the characters "break their hearts by its cool, cool waters."

After fronting the Ohio-based band Watershed for two decades (and owning and managing a coffee shop in Columbus), Gawel is launching a solo career with his EP.

John played the song twice in his office and then decided to feature it on the air during his next shift. Listener response, by phone and email, was immediate and ecstatic. And John had the opportunity to share that feedback directly with Colin.

Colin stops by WTMD at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 2nd, for an in-studio performance and conversation with John.
Colin Gawel performs tonight at the 8 x 10.

Julian Velard Does It Alone

First Thursday alum Julian Velard returns to WTMD for a special in-studio performance on Morning Sessions at 9 a.m. Friday.  

Velard's piano pop single "Do It Alone" celebrates the freedom of getting out of a failed romance. But it can also be read as his musical mantra.

"If I were to describe my music to anybody, it's kind of like a birthday party for one," he says. "I'm like that sad kid in the corner with his birthday hat and his cake; he's having a good time, but he's lonely!"

Last year Velard ducked out of the major label party early, leaving EMI without releasing an album. His independent "major label" debut, The Planeteer, arrived a few months later on his own terms.

The album's self-effacing piano pop garnered a CD of the Week feature earlier this year--and proved that Velard can certainly do it alone. Brass sections add a bit of showy flair to some tracks. And a a toe-tapping rhythm invokes the pizzazz of contemporaries, such as Jamie Cullum or Harry Connick Jr., while adding a New York state of mind. 


Julian Velard opens for Marc Broussard at Rams Head Tavern on June 16 and 17.

The Duhks perform "Mighty Storm" Live at WTMD

The Duhks (http://www.duhks.com), fly down from Winnipeg, Canada, to visit the WTMD studios for the third time.

It's their first visit, however, since the band's lineup change in which brother and sister Sarah and Christian Dugas replaced singer Jessee Havey and percussionist Scott Senior, respectively.

Watch as Sarah Dugas takes command of the studio while the band tears through "Mighty Storm," a stellar single from their album, "Fast Paced World."