Weekend Concert Line-Up Featured on "Stuck in the Jam" Tonight!!!

Tune in to "Stuck in the Jam" on 89.7 WTMD tonight from 9 to 11 p.m. for music from some great artists coming to town this weekend, plus your chance to be there!!

Friday - Dark Star Orchestra @ Rams Head Live

Saturday - Several Species @ Pier 6 Pavilion

Sunday - Widespread Panic @ Pier 6 Pavilion

Also on our "Phresh Phish" segment we dive back into the archives for a performance from 12/1/89 at the Paradise in Boston, MA.

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. 

Bob the Paper Guy's Special Delivery

It’s tough to remember most things early in the morning--especially without that first cup of inspiration--but Bob the Paper Guy’s synapses are already firing well before most of us slog out of bed.


He’s been delivering early morning media to the doorsteps of Baltimore County residents for years. During the last few years, Bob's called me during my shift to swap stories about memorable concerts and favorite records. He’s also sent me some great recordings I now treasure, including Christine Perfect’s (later McVee’s) pre-Fleetwod Mac blues band, Chicken Shack.


We thought it’d be fun if Bob recalled some of his musical moments with you. So, if you’re out in the Ruxton area on a Wednesday morning and you see the paper deliveryman talking on a cell phone, he’s not slacking, he’s yakking about musical memories for our new feature Total Recall with Bob the Paper Guy.

Tune in to the Morning Show at 6:20 a.m. Wednesday for the premiere installment as Bob discusses the artist who provided both his best AND worst concert experience.

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.

Altered Freebies: Belle & Sebastian; Sufjan Stevens; Crocodiles

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the internet to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Belle & Sebastian, “Write About Love”

Belle & Sebastian return with a great new track off their upcoming Belle & Sebastian Write About Love. The album is set to be released October 11, but you can grab their first single, “Write About Love” below. You do have to be one of the first 10,000 to sign up for their mailing list in order to get the mp3, so hurry!

Sufjan Stevens, “I Walked”/“Too Much”

The Age of Adz (pronounced odds) will be Mr. Steven's first full-length in five years. Here is a taste to hold you over until its release on October 21st. Stick around on the second track, the best stuff is later in the song. Grab them both below.

Crocodiles, Fires of Comparison EP

Before they release their full length album next week, Crocodiles have posted a free EP via their label. If you aren't familiar with Joe Arpaio, the opening track is dedicated to him.

Beach House on Morning Sessions

Tune in at 9:20 a.m. Friday as we get ready for this Beach House's homecoming show at Merriweather Post Pavilion with an encore edition of a lively conversation and in-studio performance by the Baltimore-based duo.

Their major-label debut, Teen Dream, is one of morning show host Erik's favorite records of the year. He's a sucker for dream pop music, and Alex Scalley’s echo-driven guitar and Victoria Legrand’s bouncy, narcotic keys and sensually husky voice put me in a blissful trance. It's destined to grace more than a few year-end, best-of lists.

Attend a Live Taping with Fools & Horses

Baltimore Unsigned welcomes back Fools & Horses as the band previews songs from their self-titled album at The Bunker Recording Studio in Cockeysville, MD, on Wednesday, September 22nd.

Space is limited, so we're holding a random drawing for a few listeners to join us. Register by 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 14th, to enter a drawing to win a pair of tickets to attend the performance and interview.

Fools & Horses perform at the Recher Theatre on Saturday, October 9.

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. 

Mr. Moccasin Steps Into Baltimore Unsigned

Mr. Moccasin, a songwriting partnership between instrumentalist Jared T. Fischer and vocalist Hanna Badalova, started in 2003. "We came up with our mascot before we had a name for a band," says Badalova. "Jared and I are both very visual people, and we both have an affinity for animals . . . . so we came up with a character named Mr. Moccasin. It's a bunny with a bow and arrow and a pair of moccasins on."

The indie rock sound came later, evolving from a collective of area musicians with Fischer and Badalova at the core. In 2007 the band released its debut album, Deer Eyes Bunny Eyes, a collection of songs about animals, fruits, vegetables and foreign locales. 

Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday, with an encore at 9 a.m. Saturday, as Mr. Moccasin previews selections from their forthcoming second album You Will Take a Trip to the Sea.

CD of the Week: Catching a Tiger

Last year Lissie released the critically acclaimed E.P. Why You Runnin'. Recorded with Band of Horses' bassist Bill Reynolds, the Illinois-based country folk singer established herself as an artist to watch. Her full-length debut Catching a Tiger fulfills the promise. 

Tracks such as "In Sleep" showcase her guitar chops while "Stranger" could be a b-side from a 60's girl group. With admirers that include Katy Perry and David Lynch, Lissie is poised for a major breakthrough.

Lissie performs at the 9:30 Club on Wednesday, October 20.

The Nighthawks Take Over the Roadhouse

This week John Mathews opens the TMD Roadhouse from 7 to 10 p.m. for a special edition featuring a live performance and interview with the legendary blues and roots rock band The Nighthawks.

The Washington, D.C.-based group embodies the smoky blues, deep-fried rock and 2 x 4 twang that you've come to expect from the Roadhouse. The Nighthawks have been a staple of the area music scene since 1972, performing--and sharing the stage--with almost every major blues musician of the modern age. 

John welcomes The Nighthawks for an extended during the 8 o'clock hour. Their new album Last Train to Bluesville features blues standards, and the band is planning to record a new batch of originals in the near future.

The Nighthawks play the Labor Day Dance Party at the Creative Alliance at 8 p.m. Saturday, September 4th.

The Beatles 100 Greatest Songs Countdown

For more than four decades, The Beatles' songbook has influenced popular culture, inspiring generations, enduring transitions from LP to CD to mp3, and sparking countless debates among fans.

Last week Rolling Stone magazine published their take on the 100 Greatest Songs by The Beatles. The list has generated some controversy, including their #1 choice. One way to decide if the list is on target is to hear it in its entirety. 

Tune in all day Friday, September 3rd, as we count down the 100 Greatest Beatles Songs, as selected by Rolling Stone. And join the conversation about The Beatles countdown on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Please Note: Due to FCC regulations, we will not be able to stream this special programming online. From 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, our web stream will feature HD-2: The Baltimore Channel.

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.

CD of the Week: Feed My Soul

During the past three decades, The Holmes Brothers have developed a distinctive sound that incorporates uplifting three-part harmonies with elements of funk, blues, gospel, rock and roll, and country. 

Longtime friend and collaborator Joan Osborne, produced the band's tenth studio album, Feed My Soul (Alligator Records). It showcases a rejuvenated group performing in the wake of guitarist Wendell Holmes'  successful battle with bladder cancer and making some of the best music of the band's storied career. Highlights include a joyful take on The Beatles' "I'll Be Back" and "Dark Cloud."

The Holmes Brothers perform at WTMD's First Thursday Concert at 5:30 p.m. September 2nd in West Mount Vernon Park.