The Sharp Notes is a conversation podcast about music, sound, production and media hosted by Evan Toth.
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How Sons of Silver Built Runaway Emotions | The Sharp Notes Interview
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46:28Sons of Silver’s latest release, Runaway Emotions, reflects a band committed to creative collaboration and thematic depth. Fronted by lead vocalist and songwriter Pete Argyropoulos, the group includes seasoned musicians each bringing years of experience across different corners of the rock world. The album builds on their past work with a focus on …
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The Illusions and Realities of Daylight Robbery's Third Island Suite with Robert Waite and Nick Marks | The Sharp Notes Interview
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1:00:21Some of our most profound conversations often happen without words, music becomes the ultimate language — capable of revealing and transforming our perceptions, maybe even challenging them. Today, we're diving into just such a conversation with two artists whose latest musical collaboration speaks volumes: British jazz producer Robert Waite (known …
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William Hooker Continues Proving That the Fringe Is Still the Center | The Sharp Notes Interview
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50:26William Hooker has spent decades making music on his own terms—loud, unflinching, and fully independent. A drummer, composer, poet and more with over 70 recordings as a bandleader, Hooker is a fixture of New York’s experimental underground, shaped by the Loft Jazz scene of the 1970s and carried forward through venues like CBGB, the Knitting Factory…
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Gliders Over Hollywood: Paul Rappaport's New Book Explains His Role During Rock’s Golden Age and Why the Future Needs Its Past
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58:50Let’s face it—if the music industry were a spaceship, right now it might be sputtering through the void, looking for a little more rocket fuel. Algorithms are everywhere, attention spans are short, and too often, passion plays second fiddle to data. But every once in a while, someone shows up to remind us of what the industry used to be—wild, inspi…
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Hitting You With His Best Shot: Eddie Schwartz on Risk, Reinvention, and the Art of a Well-Crafted Song
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45:19Taking a shot, a risk, a gamble—whether in life, in love, or in art—requires a particular blend of courage, timing, and craft. Few folks understand that better than Eddie Schwartz, the Canadian musician and songwriter whose work has left a lasting imprint on popular music. Best known for penning Pat Benatar’s iconic “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” Sc…
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Catherine Vericolli Resurrects the Funk: Org Music, Westbound Records, and the Pursuit of Perfecting the Imperfect
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1:09:56Teamwork - as they say - makes the dream work. Over the last several years, Org Music has been quietly amassing a catalog of well-produced reissues and original recordings in all genres. On the reissue front, however, the label has reached its goals by employing a select group of audio specialists all working toward the same goal: to find forgotten…
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Wolfgang Flür (Kraftwerk) - and His Producer Peter Duggal - Explore the Past, Present, and Future of Electronic Music with His New Album, "TIMES"
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43:55Time has always been at the heart of electronic music—its steady pulses, mechanical rhythms, and futuristic vision shaped the way we listen and move. Few artists understand this better than Wolfgang Flür. As a member of Kraftwerk during their most defining years, from Autobahn (1974) to Electric Café (1986), he played a role in setting the tempo fo…
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Rescuing a Nearly Lost Rock and Roll History with Jeannie Piersol and Alec Palao
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1:08:28Jeannie Piersol, a striking yet enigmatic figure in the 1960s San Francisco music scene, is having her remarkable story told once more through The Nest, a highly anticipated anthology released by High Moon Records. With its unique blend of psychedelic rock, soul, and Indian influences, Piersol's music never fully received the recognition it deserve…
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Bound by Sound: The Unbreakable Connection of Sleepersound | The Sharp Notes Interview
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49:14For nearly a decade, Sleepersound has been more than just a band—it’s been a brotherhood bound by a shared passion for creating immersive, emotionally rich music. Their journey together has been defined by deep friendship and an unspoken understanding that transcends words, allowing their sound to evolve organically. From late-night jam sessions to…
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From Boogaloo to the Big Screen: Michael Andrews (aka Elgin Park) Balances Music, Movies, and More with New Greyboy Allstars Compilation
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30:02For over three decades, Michael Andrews (aka Elgin Park) has been an integral part of the Greyboy Allstars, a band that has carved out a unique space in the world of funk, jazz, and soul. With their infectious grooves and deep musical chemistry, the group has remained a fixture on the scene, constantly evolving while staying true to their roots. As…
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Holding the Line: Buckcherry's Josh Todd and the Power of Persistence
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25:00Through addiction, industry upheavals, and personal reinvention, a rock survivor’s unwavering path forward. Perseverance is more than just endurance—it is the art of weathering storms without losing sight of the horizon. For Josh Todd - the last remaining original member of Buckcherry - survival in rock and roll has never been about mere resistance…
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Michael Mayo Takes Flight: Jazz, Soul, and the Art of Letting Go
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38:17Some artists walk, some artists run—but Michael Mayo flies. His latest album, Fly, isn’t just a title—it’s a philosophy. It’s about soaring past self-doubt, catching the updraft of creativity, and trusting that the music will take you exactly where you need to go. Raised in the rarefied air of music professionality—his mother has served as a powerh…
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Pressing Records From the Sugar Beet? Larry Jaffee and Kevin Da Costa Explain Their Icelandic Experiments to Create a More Sustainable Record
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1:07:31In 1979, Blondie released their fourth album, Eat to the Beat. Little did the band know that nearly a half-century later, there would be a discussion of pressing beats onto a record made of beets that one could - in theory - actually eat. Through a shared love of vinyl and an interest in investigating new and unique ways to make the process of pres…
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Wine, Music, and Philanthropy, the Heartbeat of Michael Dorf Founder the Knitting Factory and City Winery
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44:49In vino veritas, is a Latin expression which - when translated - means, “In wine, there is truth.” While that concept might be slightly romanticized, there’s no doubt that a little bit of truth, and a whole lot of vision - with nice cabernet - can influence an adventurous idea, or two. But, you’ve got to have the follow through the next morning to …
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Goldiie Lux Talks About Her New EP, S.I.N. in the Midst of the Los Angeles Fires
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30:16Determination is an incredibly important part of success in any industry. But, in music and media, one must be constantly doing their thing in front of as many audiences as possible, all the time. Sure, this is an exhausting part of the gig, but - in many ways - it’s mandatory. Based in Los Angeles, Goldiie Lux had an interview scheduled with me du…
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Nathan Trueb and Jose Medeles' Musical Project, Another Glory
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41:16Good friends can get you through difficult times. They have your back through thick and thin, they know how to anticipate if you need support, and they can always be relied upon for understanding. However, when that friendship involves music, it can be even richer and more fulfilling. José Medeles and Nathan Trueb have known each other for many yea…
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Will Dailey and His New (physical only) Release, "Boys Talking"
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42:22Massachusetts has always been aligned with revolutionary thoughts. Anyone paying attention in elementary history classes knows that our very own American Revolution began in Boston Harbor with a little event known as the Boston Tea Party. Just because a thing is a certain way, doesn’t mean it should stay that way forever: that’s Boston, that’s Amer…
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Roger Eno and His Newest Album, "the skies: rarities"
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37:58It’s not always what we say, sometimes it’s more about what we leave out; the silence in between our words can speak volumes. The same can be said of music, particularly the music of Roger Eno who has recently released a companion piece of sorts to his last release titled, The skies, they shift like chords (2023). This newest album is an extension …
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Isaac Watters and His Latest Album, "New Space and Time"
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24:11When we talk about an individual being artistic, usually we’re referring to the visual or graphic arts field, and every so often, music. However, an infusion of art is really necessary in any branch of knowledge: coding, medicine, logistics, education or any other field for that matter really all require a bit of an artistic eye to be elevated to i…
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Nicolas Michaux and His New Album, "Vitalisme"
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27:36Is your passport up-to-date? If it’s not, now might be the right time to submit your application to ensure it’s valid. Because you’re going on a bit of an international trip: from Brussels to Denmark and right here back to the good old United States of America. You’re taking a little bit of an excursion and you’ve got the best excuse to do so: good…
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Scott Salyer from Wrensilva and The Company's Line of Modern Stereo Consoles
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45:13Who didn’t love hanging out in grandma’s basement? There were always a lot of fun things down there. If you were lucky, there might have been an old stereo console crafted out of impossibly heavy wood tucked between the air hockey table and a dart board. It’s possible too, that it still worked. The dials would light up and a DJs voice wafts in from…
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Anastasia Minster and Her New Album, "Song of Songs"
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39:52Light and dark have been engaged in an eternal dance since the earliest of times. You’ve all seen the yin and yang which - if nothing else - illustrates that complicated symbiosis between good and evil: you can’t have the hero if you don’t have the villain. It’s just one of those conundrums of humanity. Writers, poets, filmmakers, artists of all il…
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Eilon Paz and His New Book, "Dust & Grooves, Vol. 2: Further Adventures In Record Collecting"
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56:04Technology’s growth in the last decade has been astounding. I don’t have to tell you how AI has just begun to impact our lives, and we all grit our teeth peeking to witness its evolution. But, though it all, there’s a timeless beauty to the still photograph. Even our 21st century blogs and social media are - in many ways - simply a digital photo bo…
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Andy Babuik and the Newest Release From the Chesterfield Kings, "We’re Still All The Same"
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41:21Some guys just do it all. Today we speak with Andy Babiuk about the newest release from the Chesterfield Kings who have been rock and roll torch-bearers over the last forty plus years. The album is titled, We’re Still All The Same. Take that musical pathway, connect it with Little Steven - and his Wicked Cool Records label - and first you’ve got a …
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Mike Treen and His New Documentary Film About Nicky Hopkins, "The Session Man"
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51:56I don’t know when you first found out about the role of a session musician, but for me, it was associated with The Monkees. I remember not quite understanding how a band could make music, yet still not play all of the instruments on the record. Well, my youthful naïveté was obliterated when I learned that there exists a highly skilled, dedicated, p…
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Georgie Fuller and Will Turner from The Heavy Heavy
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33:45As Bruce Springsteen once sang, “two hearts are better than one” and that certainly is the case with The Heavy Heavy. Not only does the name of the band have a second helping of Heavy, but the group is fronted by two musicians who, you’ll soon find out, act as a team when it comes to decisions about the group’s sound and direction. About a decade a…
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Israel Nebeker from Blind Pilot and Their New Album, "In The Shadow Of The Holy Mountain"
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37:19Sometimes, the only way to find yourself is by getting a little bit lost. Israel Nebeker - lead singer of the band Blind Pilot - experienced this first hand. The band came strongly upon the music scene in 2008, gaining particular media attention for their “bike tour” which brought them from Bellingham, Washington all the way to San Diego, Californi…
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Seun Kuti and His Latest Release, "Heavier Yet"
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33:09Imagine hearing a style of music that has become very popular; a genre you might hear on a TV commercial, or maybe on your favorite streaming program, or perhaps coming from a car window as it passes you by the street. Now, try to pretend that the style of music you’re hearing was popularized by your dad. Seun Kuti goes through this process often a…
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Delicate Steve and His Latest Release, "Delicate Steve Sings"
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46:38You don’t need to be using your vocal cords to sing. There are other ways to do it, you don’t even need to be a human being! Birds sing, the wind sings while you’re standing on the beach watching the surf, and maybe you could even say that an air conditioner sings in the background as it cools your room on a hot Summer day. Just because something i…
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Nikka Costa and Her Latest Album, "Dirty Disco"
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31:58It’s amusing how certain traits and talents seem to run in families—like an unbreakable thread woven through generations. Perhaps you hail from a long line of carpenters or artists, each passing down their skills. Music, in particular, has a remarkable way of flowing through bloodlines. While styles may evolve, the gift of rhythm and melody remains…
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Brian Ray and His Lastest Release, "My Town"
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35:11It’s easy to overlook, but for some, music isn’t just a passion—it’s a livelihood. While many might juggle music as a side gig or serious hobby, others dive headfirst into a full-fledged career as a musician. As with any pursuit intertwined with money, the path ahead is rarely smooth. Yet, artists like Brian Ray not only navigate this complex terra…
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Peter Holsapple and Will Rigby from the dB's and Their Recent Reissue Campaign and Live Shows
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1:04:00It’s not exactly a comeback. Instead, the dB’s are reconnecting with their loyal audience, who have always valued their brief but impactful body of work. The New York City band (by way of North Carolina), crafted a distinctive sound by blending edgy late-'70s NYC new wave and punk with the Southern indie-rock essence of Big Star. This fusion produc…
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Suzanne Jamieson and Her New Album, "Love Is..."
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30:10The Beatles confidently proclaimed that “Love is all you need” during the summer of - well, you know - love (1967). And while no one can argue with the fabs’ proclamation, the 21st century finds human beings on a search to define exactly what love is and how it can mean so many different things to just as many people. We each have our own love lang…
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Corey duBrowa and His New Book, "An Ideal For Living - A Celebration of the E.P."
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56:40There has been tremendous growth in the topic of vinyl records and record collecting over the last decade or so. There are podcasts (like this one), articles, and video channels dedicated to folks who blab about their treasured collections, and then there are those who shout from the rooftops about new releases the minute the news gets out. But wha…
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Maya Vik and Her Latest Album, "Hustlebot"
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27:12It’s not everyday that one gets to speak with “The Most Beautiful Woman in Norway” - according to Elle Norway - but that’s just a bi-product of the fact that this episode’s guest is a multifaceted personality who has made successful inroads in the music, fashion, and modeling industries. Maya Vik is a Norwegian bassist, songwriter and singer who - …
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Kevin Keeley from Elemental Music Discusses the Label's Motown Reissue Series
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49:24There’s nothing like the sound of an old Motown record. Whether you hear it in your hometown of Detroit, or turn it up in Kathmandu; it doesn’t matter, the music is great regardless of location and - truth be told - those recordings are inimitable. One could say they encapsulate a certain time and place, but that wouldn’t be fair to the level of so…
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Raul Midón and His Latest Release, "Lost and Found"
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30:32It’s not easy to be consistent in show business, to continually release albums and to perform at a high caliber at all times. However, some musicians have the ability to hand in strong works through most of their careers. There are performers who have built lifelong bonds with their dedicated fans because of these reasons. Raul Midón is one of thos…
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Andy Summers and His Current Tour, "The Cracked Lens + A Missing String"
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37:39Andy Summers, renowned as the influential guitarist of the Police, reveals a multifaceted creative persona that extends far beyond music. He openly embraces his diverse interests, seamlessly integrating them much like he does with his guitar, weaving them into a cohesive tapestry that defines his prolific body of work. While the guitar remains his …
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Aiden Berglund and the New Grimson Album, "Climbing Up the Chimney"
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29:59Becoming who we are takes years. Our personality develops long before we're aware of it. Some of us are more comfortable with ourselves than others, but generally, we understand our own identity and hope that we grasp how others perceive us - that part can be a challenge. Given the chance to be someone else, who would you choose? How would you be d…
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Molly Miller and Her Trio's New Album, "The Ballad of Hotspur"
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35:54Multitasking is a popular trend in musicianship today, but, like in other aspects of life, it has its critics. Those against multitasking argue that the human brain performs best when focused on one task at a time. Just because we can multitask doesn’t mean it’s the most effective approach. What if we devoted all our time and energy to a single pur…
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Donna Lewis and Her New Album, "Rooms With a View"
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38:51When you reach a certain age, you get used to the experience of processing bad news or difficult times in your life. It may be hard to explain the consistency of that behavior as processing trauma is an amorphous experience, sometimes different things heal the wounds that life tosses at us at different times. Cancer is a particularly dark developme…
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Liam Bailey and His New Album, "Zero Grace"
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34:55It’s miraculous, really, that great new music is revealed to us each passing week; we need only to be open to exploring it to enjoy it. There’s nothing wrong with reveling in your favorite songs, artists and albums that are deemed classics by some listening community, but it’s continuing to explore new releases that really gets us thinking about mu…
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Jazz Pianist, Joey Alexander and His Latest Album, "Continuance"
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36:42If you’re like most people, at 20 years old, you’re still figuring out who you are and what you want to do with your life. And there’s nothing wrong with that, especially in today’s day and age, young people now have the luxury of waiting just a little bit longer before they make up their mind to point their lives in a specific direction. However, …
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Santa Chiara and Her New Album, "Imported"
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47:23Going somewhere else is sometimes the only thing you can do to really find your true voice. And I don’t mean taking a vacation or a daytrip. Moving from one state - or, coast - to another is a very adventurous move, but emigrating to another country to live is truly beyond what most of us might even consider doing. Can you imagine leaving your fami…
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Rebecca Pidgeon and Her Latest Album, "Songs of LA"
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28:49There’s a unique quality that actors and actresses bring to songwriting and musicianship. Oftentimes, they create works that lean heavily on the idea that the singer - or narrator - is a character. Of course, all musicians and songwriters do this to some extent, but there’s another level of commitment when it’s done by a musician who also happens t…
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Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams and Their Latest, "All This Time"
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41:21It’s no secret that marriage is hard work. It requires heavy lifting by both partners to keep the boat afloat. It’s labor, but of course, it’s a labor of love; that’s what it’s all about. However, if you take the marriage and relationship deal and split it with a job in the entertainment business for both parties involved, well, now you’ve really g…
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Maybe I’m a little guilty of nostalgia on this one, but aren’t we all from time-to-time? When I look into the past with my rose-colored glasses on, they take me to that time of life when most people find themselves experiencing glowy memories of the past: high school. In my case, it was high school in the early to mid 1990s. As is true of every gen…
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Lau Noah and Her Latest Duets Album, "A Dos"
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28:17Often on this program, I interact with artists and creators, who do their best work when they are by themselves. It’s in solitude that a musician often finds the freedom and flexibility to create just what it is they want to develop. However, there is surely something to be said about the chemistry between two people, two artists. When two musician…
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Sam Nelson Harris From X Ambassadors Aquaman 2 Music and New Album, "Townie"
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26:58What does it take to be epic? Many filmmakers and creators struggle to construct breathtaking spectacles for audiences that will allow them to escape into a transformative world that depicts events that would not normally be seen with human eyes. But what about the music? Once they’ve created the visual component, how do they find the right music t…
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Narada Michael Walden and His New Album, "Euphoria"
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39:24It’s always a pleasure to speak with musicians who seem to appreciate and absorb music on another level. Folks like this often see music in a way that regular music consumers might take for granted. After all, there is a real power in music, a force and strength that can alter our emotions in any which direction. Sometimes we forget this, and we ju…
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