austin music scene

The Bright Light Social Hour founders Jackie O'Brien and Curtis Roush are here to talk about the Austin Psych Scene, their deep connection to live performance and their long-standing support of important social reform issues.  They'll also be hitting the road hard once again this Fall in support of their upcoming new album, Emergency Leisure, set for release on August 2.  Among the many social causes they support, TBLSH brings attention to The Last Prisoner Project which seeks to fight for those incarcerated for cannabis offenses; the band recently released a humorous, tongue-in-cheek video to highlight the perceived "dangers" of cannabis use and is donating all proceeds to this worthy Not-for Profit Organization. TBLSH is literally everywhere, and their music has been featured in a variety of TV soundtracks, videos, and even Nintendo video games!! These guys do it all while continuing their efforts to "start a conversation" about local and national social causes.  Join us on Roadcase for this lively conversation with Jackie and Curtis to learn more about these intriguing artists and how you can help support their efforts!!

For more info:
https://www.thebrightlightsocialhour.com/

For more information on Roadcase: 
https://linktr.ee/roadcasepod and https://www.roadcasepod.com

Contact: info@roadcasepod.com

Roadcase theme music:  "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer

Getting to Know: George! 

Chicago drummer George Fludas was born in Chicago on October 10, 1966. He was inspired to play drums by his father, who was also a drummer, and who exposed him to great jazz drummers such as Art Blakey, Max Roach, and "Philly" Joe Jones. 

He attended Lane Tech High School where he majored in music and played percussion in their concert band and orchestra. After briefly attending Roosevelt University's music school in 1985-86, he began freelancing with Chicago greats Von Freeman, Jodie Christian and Lin Halliday, as well as playing in groups with guitarist Bobby Broom, and saxophonists Ron Blake and Eric Alexander. He has subsequently played with many stellar musicians such as Ira Sullivan, Buddy Montgomery, Lou Donaldson, Frank Wess, Kenny Burrell, Betty Carter, Johnny Griffin, Benny Green, Roy Hargrove, Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Cedar Walton, Diana Krall, Benny Carter, Phil Woods, Junior Cook, Slide Hampton, and Bobby Hutcherson. 

FEATURED RELEASE: 

Joe Magnarelli “If You Could See Me Now” (2018) 

https://open.spotify.com/album/6G3uv0... 

About Off The Bandstand: 

Too often, audiences are only able to experience jazz musicians while they’re performing on the bandstand. 

“Off The Bandstand”, hosted by vocalist Christian Wiggs, is a series of one-on-one, informal conversations with members of the jazz scene. Each episode will feature a new guest and provide an opportunity for listeners to get to know more about the people behind the music, as well as their influences and stories throughout their career. 

Follow your host, Christian Wiggs: 

➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christianwig... 

➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianwi... 

➤ Website: http://www.christianwiggs.com/home

Jazz saxophonist Christopher Madsen is one of the most in-demand figures in the Chicago jazz world as a performer, composer, and pedagogue. He serves as jazz faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, former jazz faculty at Midwest Young Artists in Highwood, IL, and was Coordinator of Jazz Studies at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) from 2008-2014. He is a sought-after jazz clinician, adjudicating at jazz festivals and offering workshops to ensembles of all ages and levels from across the globe. He is a Vandoren and Conn-Selmer Performing Artist, member of the Fulbright Specialist Program roster, Jazz Education Network, the National Educator’s Association, and the National Association for Music Education. Madsen serves on the Education Committee for the Jazz Education Network and has been featured in Jazziz Magazine (2005), the Jazz Spotlight for artsamerica.org (2012), and has been interviewed for saxplaying.com (2018) and the Chicago Jazz Magazine (2019). Madsen has also contributed jazz articles to The Instrumentalist magazine and been interviewed on several radio broadcasts about jazz history and his performing career.

Watch the full interview on our YouTube Channel here!

J. Crew’s Next Top Model! Jive Confessional! Colossal Abundance! 

Not only the best dressed person in the room, saxophonist Geof Bradfield sets a new standard of intellectual charisma. In this episode, we chat about diving into the scores of an unsung hero of jazz, the significance of symmetry in Geof’s writing, and nightmare cocktail that consists of a milking truck, a European tour, and an inescapable glass shower. 

FEATURED RELEASE: 

Geof Bradfield 

“Yes, and…Music for Nine Improvisers” (2018) 

Getting to Know: Geof! 

Born in Houston, TX, saxophonist and composer Geof Bradfield has shared the stage throughout North America, Europe, Russia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East with jazz luminaries such as Randy Weston, Carl Allen, Brian Blade, Rodney Whitaker, Etienne Charles, Joe Locke, and Orrin Evans. He also performs and records regularly with fellow Chicago artists including Dana Hall, Clark Sommers, Jeff Parker, Matt Ulery, Marquis Hill, and Ryan Cohan, to name a few. His work is featured on 50+ CDs, including seven albums as a leader that have garnered critical accolades from the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Downbeat, the Chicago Tribune and NPR. Bradfield has been recognized in Downbeat Critics Polls as a Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist and Arranger. Birdhoused, recorded live at Chicago’s legendary Green Mill jazz club and released on Vancouver label Cellar Live in 2017, garnered 4 ½ stars from Downbeat. His most recent project Yes, and…Music for Nine Improvisers (Delmark Records 2018) was commissioned by Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works program with the generous support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and features a nonet of top-flight Chicago and New York artists. 

A committed educator, Bradfield is Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University and has given master classes and lectures at the Brubeck Institute, the Manhattan School of Music, the Jazz Education Network conference, and numerous other national and international venues. 

Watch the full interview on our YouTube Channel here!

The best herring bar in Copenhagen! Trusting our musical instincts! Why lineman are suited to be bassists! 

Connecting to the ineffable qualities of the music, bassist Clark Sommers inspires us to observe a holistic view of our craft. In this episode, we discuss the mentors who helped us develop an aesthetic for the music, the galvanizing effect of stepping into a bandleader role, and those moments when gigs come to a full stop.

FEATURED RELEASE: 

Clark Sommers Lens 

“By A Thread” (2017)

Getting to Know: Clark! 

Bassist, Composer and Educator, Clark has toured and performed extensively throughout the world. He has had the privilege of performing with Cedar Walton, Darrell Grant, Brian Blade, Ernie Watts, Bennie Maupin, Von Freeman, Ira Sullivan, Frank Wess, Charles McPherson, Peter Bernstein, Lin Haliday, Dana Hall, Jodie Christian, Bobby Broom, Jeff Parker, Ron Perrillo, Geof Bradfield, Michael Weiss, George Fludas, Kevin Mahogany, Eden Atwood, Ted Sirota’s Rebel Souls, The Mighty Blue Kings and The Chicago Jazz Orchestra among others. 

Clark completed his undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies and World Music at California Institute of the Arts, where he studied with bass masters Charlie Haden and Darek Oles. While living in Los Angeles, Clark performed with Leo Smith, Vinny Golia, The Charlie Haden Liberation Orchestra, Joe La Barbara and Larry Koonse. He continues to seek expansion of his craft by pursuing his musical studies with masters such as David Grossman of the New York Philharmonic, Mike Longo and Stefon Harris. He recently completed two residencies at the Brubeck Institute in Stockton California. 

Clark is proud to be at home in the bass chair with vocalist Kurt Elling, with whom he tours the globe bringing jazz to everyone from Istanbul to the Canary Islands. Thus far he has been privileged to play on two GRAMMY nominated recordings with the band, one of which won the GRAMMY for best vocal jazz album in 2009. 

Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel here!

Welcome to Roadcase!!  We're super excited to have renowned music photographer Pooneh Ghana on the show. Pooneh was raised in Texas of immigrant parents, became enthralled with the Austin music scene as a high-schooler, and successfully combined her two passions: music and photography to become a fixture in the indie music world.  Her unique style of shooting -- capturing both the scene as well as the artists at work  -- as well as her intimate portraiture, brings a stunning vision of the energy of live performance. She shoots for a variety of publications including Rolling Stone, NME and Pitchfork -- and has toured with a number of artists, namely Idles, Courtney Barnett, and Cage the Elephant. Her story of perseverance in following her passion is both exciting and inspiring. So climb aboard the Roadcase -- and bring your camera, iphone or otherwise -- as we head out on the road to learn more about the intriguing life of amazing music photographer Pooneh Ghana. It's gonna be a great ride!

For more information: https://linktr.ee/roadcasepod and https://www.roadcasepod.com

Contact: info@roadcasepod.com

Theme music:  "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer

Welcome to Roadcase!!  We are super psyched to have the extraordinary and multi-faceted artist Seth Walker on the show. Seth is a true veteran of the industry, and his 11th studio effort, I Hope I Know, produced by Jano Rix of The Wood Brothers just came out on May 20. Seth is also an accomplished artist, poet and now a published author with his first book entitled Your Van Is On Fire (The miscellaneous meanderings of a musician),  a memoir of his life as an artist. Filled with his own illustrations and poetic musings, Your Van Is On Fire serves as a roadmap of a life on the road as Seth has successfully followed his Wanderlust muse over the course of his 30-year career.  We talk about Seth's unique upbringing in a communal living situation in North Carolina as well as his philosophy on just what drives this truly unique artist. Seth is a gem of a human and a stellar guest whom we're overjoyed to welcome into the Roadcase community. So hop on the Roadcase bus as we wander about within the creative world of Seth Walker.  It's gonna be a great ride!

For more information: https://linktr.ee/roadcasepod and https://www.roadcasepod.com

Contact: info@roadcasepod.com

Theme music:  "Eugene (Instrumental)" by Waltzer

PART ONE: 
Scott and Paul talk about the phenomenon of greatest hits album. What does the term mean? When are they necessary? Which artists warrant them, which don't, and when are they woefully inadequate? 

PART TWO: 
Our in-depth interview with Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel

ABOUT RAY BENSON:
As the co-founder and only consistent member of the group Asleep at the Wheel, Ray Benson has carried the torch for Western Swing and other formative musical traditions that helped shape the country genre. The band has released over 30 albums, and landed more than 20 songs on Billboard’s Country Singles Chart. Additionally, Benson has released two solo albums, and a duet album with fellow Texas legend Dale Watson. As a producer, he has worked with Willie Nelson, Aaron Neville, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, and others.

Ray has earned thirty Grammy nominations, winning nine of them over the course of four decades. He was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame, is in the Austin Music Hall of Fame, received the Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award, and earned the Americana Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance. In short, this long tall Texan is a living legend. 

Episode 123- Josh Ross from Black Heart Saints! This is a band every rock fan should know. They are extremely talented musicians and songwriters. The band has had two charted songs on rock radio recently, but even their older stuff kicks ass. They have done shows with everyone from Sevendust & Puddle of Mudd to Slash & L.A. Guns. Josh and I discuss how he got in to music and how the band formed as well as some of the more business aspects of working in music such as the band’s beer. 

00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Josh's Family Background
02:43 - Musical Influences 
03:27 - Rockstar Life 
04:23 - Playing Music 
05:55 - Early Bands 
08:25 - Finding Guitar Player Mark Sean
10:14 - Black Heart Saints & Songwriting 
12:18 - "Quicksand" Song Inspiration 
14:58 - Pushing to Get Songs on Radio 
16:47 - Van "The SaintSation" & Trailer Theft 
19:03 - South By Southwest 
20:40 - Show with Filter 
21:35 - Jason McMaster & Dangerous Toys 
23:10 - Big Shows - Winery Dogs & Kings X
24:23 - Deen Castronovo & Dead Daisies
25:17 - Blacktop Mojo 
26:20 - Performing with Slash 
27:48 - Huge Show with Steel Panther 
28:45 - Performing Shows Now & Future 
31:15 - John Moyer of Disturbed 
32:30 - Newer Up & Coming Bands 
34:02 - Solo Career & Cover Bands 
35:45 - Black Heart Stout Beer & Business 
37:40 - Pay to Play 
39:30 - Stand Up Comedy in Austin 
41:05 - Troubled Fan 
43:15 - Health Alliance for Austin Musicians 
44:30 - Wrap Up 

Black Heart Saints Website:
https://www.blackheartsaintsmusic.com

Health Alliance for Austin Musicians:
https://www.myhaam.org

Chuck Shute Podcast Website:
http://chuckshute.com

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon!

“Always changing, never the same.” Listen to the music journey of Much 2 Much, an indie-folk collaboration between Erin Thelen and Angie Holliday, longtime friends from Austin, Texas. Their songwriting, vocal harmony, and smooth sounds transform poetry into enchanting songs. In this episode, they talk about travel, gigs, business, sisterhood and so much more.  Get ready for a high-energy, soulful conversation as you listen to the music and journey of Much 2 Much from a duo to a four-piece band:

• High School days at McCallum Fine Arts Academy
• College Years at the University of North Texas
• Backpacking  Adventures
• Travel to Western Europe, South Asia, and USA
• First Collaboration
• The name Much 2 Much
• Austin venues
• and much more…

Treat yourself…get the album! 

Much 2 Much Album ROOTS: https://much2much.bandcamp.com/album/roots

Digital Album / CD songs:

1. Desert Song
2. Treasure
3. Strong and Steady
4. Did you Hear the News
5. Follow
6. If You Only
7. Lullaby
8. Roots
9. Footsteps

Visit Much 2 Much:

Website: http://much2muchmusic.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/much_2_much_band

Email: much2muchband@gmail.com

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