Today on Twirl, we celebrated a momentous occasion: our 800th episode! Yes, we’ve been at this for a while. Access Sacramento and KUBU 96.5 FM have been very good to me, and to my show. So to celebrate, we decided to host two very special interviews.

First up, Andrew Griffin and Dara Ackerman of Bay Area band Felsen. We go back a long way, and Andrew slipped me an advance copy of their next album, “Blood Orange Moon”. This record is quietly intense, compared with Felsen’s previous efforts, but extremely powerful. It’s also their first release on Mystery Lawn Music, with mixing by Allen Clapp. Andrew has been wanting to work with Allen for a while, and he really did a wonderful job with the sound of the record. These songs are personal, and if you listen to them in order, you’ll hear the “mission statement” in the very first lyric of the album: “I want to live where culture kills machines, and decent melodies will haunt you in your dreams”. The next 47 minutes support this sentiment. The album is due out in late January, with an accompanying CD release show in the Bay Area, and perhaps a late winter Sacramento gig as well. Our live radio interview was fun and spirited. More information at www.facebook.com/felsenlovesyou.

In the second hour, we got to meet Jay Aston of legendary band Gene Loves Jezebel. This British band has been making their own brand of great music since the 1980s. It’s a big deal when these guys get together and record, and their new album, “Dance Underwater”, is a well-crafted labor of love. The band obviously has all their chemistry intact, and these songs are fresh, timely, and current. This is also a personal record, featuring songwriting by not only Jay, but by Peter Rizzo stepping up and making his voice heard as well. These guys did it right–they put their hearts into it. Equally impressive, a successful fan pledge campaign helped them to get it made. It’s always nice to see a band who has such an engaged, loyal fan base who are willing to get involved. That’s the apex of the band-fan relationship. Jay and I chatted about some of the highlights of the record. More information at www.genelovesjezebel.co.uk.

Artist | Track | Album
Juliana Hatfield | Everybody Loves Me But You | Hey Babe
Gail George | A Wonderful Life | Bloom
Heiskell | Still Life With Broken Heart | Emotional Terrorism
Maxi Dunn | Always Be My Friend | Welcome To Soonville
Bud Rogers | Pictures Of A Modern World (acoustic) | Single release
Bellygunner | Negative Kid | Machine Gun Built For Two

Felsen interview
Felsen | Vultures On Your Bones | Blood Orange Moon
Felsen | White Denim Jeans | Blood Orange Moon

Jay Aston of Gene Loves Jezebel interview
Gene Loves Jezebel | Charmed Life (Never Give In) | Dance Underwater
Gene Loves Jezebel | How Do You Say Goodbye (To Someone You Love) | Dance Underwater

Duncan Faure | In The Right Place | Anthology
Karla Kane | King’s Daughters Home For Incurables | King’s Daughters Home For Incurables
Jody Porter | When You Were Mine | Pacifier
The JAC | Persistent Man | Faux Pas
Lannie Flowers | Circles | LIVE in NYC
Natalie Cortez & The Ultraviolets | She’s Better | Stupid Fresh Or Stupid Bad
Blake Jones & The Trike Shop | Sun Up | The Underground Garden

Here’s a bonus picture: a screen capture from today’s Skype interview with Andrew and Dara of Felsen.

Once again, a big thanks to all the great musicians and listeners who have made the first 800 episodes of Twirl Radio so much fun. We’ll see you next week, as we embark on the next 800!

October 28, 2017
Categories: Playlists . . Author: twirlradio . Comments: Leave a comment

Today on Twirl, we had, what the folks in the world of sports call, a double-double! A second week in a row where we had doubleheader interviews. There has been so much great music released in 2017, and so few weeks remaining in this year’s calendar, that we’ve had to squeeze in extra interviews and extra music. But I’m not complaining.

First up: we got to meet Paul Lacques of L.A.-based instrumental band Double Naught Spy Car. They’ve been self-described as “providing the soundtrack for the approaching meltdown of civilization”, although I like that one critic called their sound “surf noir” music. It’s great stuff, either way. Paul and I had a fun, lively chat–and we learned the secret about creating titles for instrumental songs! doublenaughtspycar.com

And in the second hour, the legendary Bay City Rollers frontman Duncan Faure returned to the show! He released a brand new single today, “Thank You For The Photograph”, and he introduced it for us live on the air! We also caught up on what he’s been up to–it had been a couple of years since we last chatted on the show, and Duncan’s always got some great stories from his 40 plus years in the music business. jemiblue.bandcamp.com

Artist | Track | Album
Celsi, Bragg & Maitland | Heavenly Day | The Road To Glasgow
Blaine Campell | I Don’t Belong Here Anymore | Blue Mind
Maxi Dunn | Everything | Edmund & Leo
Sarah Stanley | Not Gonna Leave | Tuesday Girl

Paul Lacques Interview
Double Naught Spy Car | Tale Of The Comet | Moof
Double Naught Spy Car | The Hesher Variation | Moof

Chandler Travis Philharmonic | You Got Me Started | Waving Kissyhead Vol. 2 & 1
Daniel Trigger | Remember When | Single release
Lisa Said | Peel The Moon | Estranged

Duncan Faure interview
Duncan Faure | Nightfall | Anthology
Duncan Faure | Thank You For The Photograph | Single release

Karla Kane | The Lilac Line | King’s Daughters Home For Incurables
Lannie Flowers | Kiss A Memory | Single release
Gretchen’s Wheel | The Price | Sad Scientist
Heiskell | Hurtin’ On You | Emotional Terrorism
The American Professionals | The Story | Sympathetic Overdrive
Gene Loves Jezebel | Charmed Life (Never Give In) | Dance Underwater
Trip Wire | Long Days Gone | Cold Gas Giants
Felsen | White Denim Jeans | Blood Orange Moon

October 21, 2017
Categories: Playlists . . Author: twirlradio . Comments: Leave a comment

On today’s show, we had an interview doubleheader, with a couple of very interesting subjects! First off, we chatted with Bradford Reed of Ohmslice. You may remember him from the 90’s band King Missile. His new project is a creative collaboration between him and poet Jane LeCroy. The sound is based on processing percussion instruments through a modular synth–a new take on electronica! The music on the “Conduit” album is fascinating and challenging, and Ohmslice truly pushes a lot of boundaries. Bradford has always been into creating new music and new instruments–one of his claims to fame is inventing an instrument called the pencilina. In our conversation, Bradford explains how a lot of this electronic magic is done. More info at www.ohmslice.net.

After that, Dan Kaufman of Barbez paid us a return visit. Barbez is known for tackling historical subject matter, by immersing themselves in music from a certain time period. The new album, “For Those Who Came After”, is no exception, and it features resistance songs from the Spanish Civil War–a forgotton piece of history from the not too far past–and pertinent today. These songs honor the tens of thousands of idealistic young men and women who, at great personal cost to themselves, traveled to Spain to fight fascism in the 1930s. These were recorded live at performances which benefit the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives. There are snippets from interviews of actual American fighters overlaid on a couple of the songs. The music is exquisitely performed, and is thought-provoking. www.barbez.com.

We also heard some brand new tracks from Anton Barbeau, Gene Loves Jezebel, The Armoires, Chris Church, Heiskell, Lannie Flowers, and Felsen.

Artist | Track | Album
Anton Barbeau | Down Around The Radio | Natural Causes
Gene Loves Jezebel | Summertime | Dance Underwater
The Armoires | The Laws Have Changed | Big Stir Traveling International Roadshow
Maxi Dunn | Change The Record | Edmund & Leo
Bud Rogers | Intercity Mars | Starman
Chris Church | Worse Things Happen At Sea | Limitations Of Source Tape

Bradford Reed interview
Ohmslice | Crying On A Train | Conduit
Ohmslice | Gravity | Conduit

Edward Rogers | 20th Century Heroes | TV Generation
Ruby Free | Start Of Something Big | Shades

Dan Kaufman interview
Barbez | Venga Jaleo | For Those Who Came After
Barbez | In The Beginning | For Those Who Came After

Jody Porter | Valerie Sometimes | Pacifier
Heiskell | The Old Songs | Emotional Terrorism
The Welcome Matt | Come Alive | More Empire Days
Lannie Flowers | Find Her Way Back Home | Home Demos
Duncan Faure | The Day That I Found Love | 4
Felsen | Airplane Mode | Blood Orange Moon
Fun Of The Pier | Cavern Song | 14:42
Plasticsoul | Keeping A Light On | Therapy

October 14, 2017
Categories: Playlists . . Author: twirlradio . Comments: Leave a comment

It used to be that native Sacramentan Anton Barbeau would come back to visit us from Berlin about once a year or so, bringing with him his latest release. Then he upped the schedule to twice a year visits. Well this trip, he came bearing three(!) new releases: the vinyl EP “Heaven Is In Your Mind”, the CD “Antronica 2”, and a hand-burned pre-release of his forthcoming album “Natural Causes”. Heaven Is In Your Mind contains three choice covers (David Bowie, Big Star and Traffic), and one original Anton song. Antronica 2 is the follow up to Antronica. It features synth-driven songs Anton recorded in the 1980s, and some new 2017 music as well. And Natural Causes is the next album, a mix of shimmery pop songs and what Anton calls “weirdo material”–which in my experience, have always proven to be lovably quirky. The new record could use some help from you getting it released out into the world. Anton would like it to reach new folks who aren’t yet familiar with his work. So–if you already know you want a copy, it would help tremendously if you could pre order it from his Kickstarter campaign–details are available here: Anton Barbeau “Natural Causes” Kickstarter. We got to sample several songs from Natural Causes and one from Antronica 2. www.antonbarbeau.com

Of late, Anton’s been in a mood to discover and re-discover some of the greats from the classic rock era. Interestingly enough, on my recent trip to Texas, I purchased the Beatles “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” double CD re-release. You know, the one that was remixed to stereo by Giles Martin, son of the record’s producer George Martin, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1967 release. I’d been waiting for just the right moment to “unbox” it–and listen to it loudly, in its full glory. So we used the occasion of Anton’s visit to have him unwrap it, talk a little about it, and pick a song to play from it.

And lastly, some sad news. A good friend of mine, Robin Scott (aka Scott Newkirk), passed away this week. Robin was a fellow DJ at KUBU 96.5 FM, Sacramento’s Voice. We go way back together–nearly 20 years. Lots of radio and musical adventures, and we always cheered on each other’s accomplishments. Robin’s show “The Next Wave” preceded mine on Saturday afternoons, and featured a blend of original 80’s music, and newer music that kept to that spirit and sound. Robin’s favorite band, hands down, was the B-52’s, so we opened the show with a tribute to Robin and “Private Idaho”, off the greatest hits disc that Robin gifted to me some years ago. We will miss you, Robin, but you live on in spirit and attitude.

Artist | Track | Album
Tribute to Robin Scott
The B-52’s | Private Idaho | Time Capsule
Heiskell | Still Life With Broken Heart | Emotional Terrorism
Maxi Dunn | Messed Up | The Neglected Gambit
Bud Rogers | Pictures Of A Modern World (acoustic) | Single release
The American Professionals | In Case Of Emergency, Break | Sympathetic Overdrive
Richard Turgeon | I’m 30 | In Between The Spaces

Anton Barbeau interview
Anton Barbeau | Coffee That Makes The Man Go Mad | Natural Causes
Anton Barbeau | Disambiguation | Natural Causes
Anton Barbeau | Rain Rain | Antronica 2

Unboxing the Sgt. Pepper’s 2 CD re-mix
The Beatles | Lovely Rita | Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Anton Barbeau | Mumble Something | Natural Causes

Blake Babies | Your Way Or The Highway | Earwig demos
Duncan Faure | Where Is The Music | Pronounced “Four-Uh”
Adam Marsland | Peace | Bulé
Gail George | Fool’s Paradise | Follow Your Bliss!
Lannie Flowers | Where Does Love Go | LIVE in NYC
Natalie Cortez & The Ultraviolets | You Dear | Stupid Fresh Or Stupid Bad
Felsen | Unemployed In Chicago | Blood Orange Moon

October 8, 2017
Categories: Playlists . . Author: twirlradio . Comments: Leave a comment

On the show today, we had a very special interview with Richmond, VA band The Taters! Also known as “The Unofficial House Band of Twirl Radio”, The Taters are celebrating 20 years of, well, being The Taters! Twirl Radio and The Taters go back a long time, to the days when they were still known as “Burnt Taters”. They’ve been on the show many times, doing everything from live internet performances (before it was a “thing”), raising money for fundraisers, to live broadcasting their recording of a live album (sounds complicated; was actually fun!) They are known for their good-natured blend of fun originals and choice cover tunes.

Today’s interview was madcap and unscripted–the best kind! But don’t let the apparent chaos fool you–these guys are great musicians, and with all four members of the band singing, are known for their excellent harmonies. Even the Richmond Symphony gets it–The Taters are about to perform with them for the second time this year! The band members are Craig Evans, Brad Tucker, Greg Marrs, and Chris Mendez. Find out more about them at thetaters.com.

Artist | Track | Album
The American Professionals | WMPMS | Sympathetic Overdrive
Adam Marsland | Legaspi Groove (Magandang Umaga!) | Bulé
Rob Martinez | Let Me Tell You Why | Today My Mind…Tomorrow The World
Maxi Dunn | Make It Better | The Neglected Gambit
Cirrone | Everything’s Fine Now | Kings For A Night
Stephen’s Ruin | September’s Favorite Child | Single release
Tom Petty | A Higher Place | Wildflowers

The Taters interview
Burnt Taters | No Teardrops Tonight | Vox Box
The Taters | Right B4 My Eyes | Recess
The Taters | Waiting Game | Just One Night
Burnt Taters | Never Call Me Here | Strange But True!
The Taters | Such A Good Day | Menagerie
The Taters | Yog Shuf’fel | Don’t Scream!
The Taters | Smoke On Rt. 66 | Taters Party!

Sunshine Boys | Schoolyard Bully | Single release
Duncan Faure | Wouldn’t It Be Good | Pronounced “Four-Uh”
Bellygunner | Negative Kid | Machine Gun Built For Two
Felsen | Poor In A Wealthy City | Blood Orange Moon
Lannie Flowers | Give Me A Chance | LIVE in NYC
Chandler Travis Philharmonic | Going Back To Work Tomorrow | Waving Kissyhead Vol. 2 & 1
Karla Kane | Wishing Tree | King’s Daughters Home For Incurables

October 1, 2017
Categories: Playlists . . Author: twirlradio . Comments: Leave a comment