Michael Franti and Spearhead Live at WTMD

Click to Play

Michael Franti and Spearhead visited WTMD to perform for Morning Sessions and speak with host Morning Show Erik Deatherage.

The band performed the songs "Say Hey (I Love You)," "Nobody Right Nobody Wrong" and "I Got Love For You" from their new album All Rebel Rockers. In the interview, Franti discussed his trip to Baghdad, his son leaving home and his new album.

For more information, visit www.wtmd.org.

Wye Oak in Deutschland

Congratulations to Jen and Andy for landing a spot on Dr. Dog's European tour which heads to Cologne, Germany today.

Too bad they weren't in the back of a Jetta for this sweet little rendition of "I Don't Feel Young." Check out Andy's shade switch-a-roo, mid-song.

Viel gluck!

The Christmas Lights! perform "Walk Like A Human" LIVE at WTMD

Click to Play

The Christmas Lights! came in for a Baltimore Unsigned taping after being our Artist of the Month for October. Here they perform "Walk Like A Human," the title track from their debut album.

For more information, visit www.baltimoreunsigned.org.

Matthew Sweet performs "Byrdgirl" Live at WTMD

Click to Play

Matthew Sweet visits the WTMD studio to perform and performs "Byrdgirl" from his new album, "Sunshine Lies."

Vote Wilco

As Wilco prepares for a tour with Neil Young--as well as a sold-out, headlining show at the Lyric Opera House on December 14th--Jeff Tweedy and company are hitting the polls and handing out free downloads to promote everyone's civic duty.

Stop by Wilco's voting page to pick up a free download of the Wilco and Fleet Foxes' cover of Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released." And then send them photos of your polling place for an upcoming web feature.

The Flaming Lips "Chime In"

Get this: NBC is recruiting the B-52's, BB King and The Flaming Lips to record an eight-second version of their famous "bing-BING-bing" chimes, in celebration of the network's 75th anniversary.

The Lips seem to have a fondness for network television. Check out this video blast from teen tv past (OK, I was adult when I watched it).

An Old Joni Mitchell Performance

A friend of mine was kind enough to share this video and quote with me, I now share it with you...
"I play for free. I've played for money and it never amounted to anything really significant even though I made a lot of money. Playing for free is the best pay off/gift you can get or give and I don't play an instrument"

WTMD's uncut interview with Alejandro Escovedo

Click to Play

John Mathews interviews the Real Animal Alejandro Escovedo for an Afternoon Drive. Here is the full, uncut interview for your enjoyment.

 For more information, visit www.wtmd.org.

Tracy Chapman Transcends Time

A song that, unfortunately, could still be made today is Tracy Chapman's "Across the Lines."

I played it this morning for the first time in awhile and it struck me how, even though this song is 20 years old, it has relevance and resonance, now.

It also brought up the memory of attending the Amnesty International's "Conspiracy of Hope" tour at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia.

Man, I miss that place! I saw my best U2 show there, and seeing Tracy, Sting, Peter Gabriel and Bruce Springsteen that day and coming away very inspired to do something, is something I'll never forget. I still have a t-shirt from that show (doesn't fit)!

She's got a new one coming out November 10th called, Our Bright Future. Let's hope so.

Indie Bands in the Strangest Places

Bandstand Busking, a British-based Web music series, frees artists from the cramped confines of studios and nightclubs for impromptu performances in and around aging London bandstands.

Recent highlights include Of Montreal in Regent's Park



and We Were Promised Jetpacks taking a spin in a teacup

Adele - "Melt My Heart to Stone" Live at WTMD

Click to Play

British singer Adele stops by the WTMD studio on her way to Saturday Night Live and performs "Melt My Heart to Stone" as part of an upcoming Morning Sessions.

Adele - "Right as Rain" Live at WTMD

Click to Play

British singer Adele stops by the WTMD studio on her way to Saturday Night Live and performs "Right as Rain" as part of an upcoming Morning Sessions.

Adele performs "Chasing Pavements" Live at WTMD

Click to Play

British singer Adele stops by the WTMD studio and performs "Chasing Pavements" as part of an upcoming Morning Sessions.

An 80's Zoo For Keane

Keane's third record Perfect Symmetry drops today. For 80's suckers and U2 fans like me, you gotta love songwriter/keyboardist Tim Rice Oxley's recall, especially on the single, "Spiralling."

Some of the record seems to embrace, or perhaps send up the fame they've been known not to crave- kind of a Zoo TV vibe, the video hints at.

And after his rehab issues, singer Tom Chaplin seems eager to put those golden pipes to grand use.

That's the thing about Keane- they always have something big to say, and it's just three guys and a lot of cool keyboard efffects that do the talking.

Ringo Says No More Autographs after October 20th

Ringo Starr has a very peaceful and loving message for all you fans out there