On today’s episode, we attempt to recover from last week’s epic Twirlie Awards show. Last week was a look back at 2016, so today, we featured brand new tracks released in 2017. Artists like Reverse Family, Irene Peña, Mod Hippie, Eric Peter Schwartz, and Matt North are the face of 2017, and we gave ’em a spin! Plus–there’s a special spot in our heart for Tom Alford and his magnificent alternative/power pop album Second Foundation, which came out way back in 2009. We haven’t played it in a while, so we started off the show with it. And–a perennial Twirl favorite, Juliana Hatfield, shows up in the mix with a deep cut, The Edge of Nowhere, from her 1997 EP Please Do Not Disturb.
All in all, a varied selection of music. I’m all rested up, so we’ll start in with the interviews again next week.
Artist | Track | Album
Tom Alford | Shiloh | Second Foundation
Reverse Family | Way It Goes | Single release
Irene Peña | Not From Around Here | Single release
Rockpile | Trouble Boys | Single release
Cirrone | All I Know | Uplands Park Road
Maxi Dunn | Change The Record | Edmund & Leo
Gary Ritchie | Million Dollars | Poptimistic
Mod Hippie | Guatemala | Big Wow
Sam Phillips | Pretty Time Bomb | Human Contact Is Never Easy
The Mysteries Of Life | Take You Up | Bad Advice
Overly Polite Tornadoes | Supermoon | When You Wake Up
Matt North | Seventeen Days | Above Ground Fools
Edward Rogers | The World Of Mystery | Glass Marbles
Identical Suns | Baby I’m Down | Identical Suns
Natalie Cortez & The Ultraviolets | Take You Home | Stupid Fresh Or Stupid Bad
Lannie Flowers | Give Me A Chance (live) | LIVE in NYC
Juliana Hatfield | The Edge Of Nowhere | Please Do Not Disturb
Duncan Faure | Back To The Day | 4
The Armoires | Responsible | Incidental Light Show
Girls On Grass | Father Says Why | Girls On Grass
Eric Peter Schwartz | House Of Frankenstein | American Disrepair
The Jeremy Band | Get It Right The First Time | Hit You With A Flower
Allyson Seconds | Sun Don’t Shine | Little World
Chandler Travis Philharmonic | Air Running Backwards | Waving Kissyhead Vol. 2
David Brookings And The Average Lookings | Time To Go | David Brookings And The Average Lookings
Cult Of Wedge | The Day You Left Town | Loch Ness Monsters And Motherships
Gail George | He’s An Exclamation! | Follow Your Bliss!
Mimi Betinis | Pontiac | Music Sounds
Here is the complete list of 2017 Twirlie Award winners, presented live on Twirl Radio, Saturday, February 4, 2017, in Sacramento, California, at Access Sacramento’s KUBU 96.5 FM. Congratulations to all, and more importantly, a big thank you to all the great independent musicians who make it possible for me to do this radio show.
The award presenters: Sydney Butler, Martin Anaya, Dennis Willis, Anthony Snow, Josh Mihal, and Mike Lidskin.
At the beginning of the podcast, you’ll hear a snippet of Robin Scott’s “The Next Wave”–where he let me visit and chat about the Twirlies, right before my show started.
Ear Candy Pacific Soul Ltd., for their album The Dance Devine
The Ear Candy Award is given to an album that is a “go-to” album. You can pick any song, and it sounds great in any set of music, at any time.
Best Line in a Song
Lindsay Murray, Gretchen’s Wheel. The song: “Second To Last”. The line: “She was reaching past the borders of a comfortable life, to something far beyond her, that’s impossibly high, so high.”
Best Interview
The Bobbleheads, 2/27/2016
Best Live Session
Andrew Griffin and Dara Ackerman (Felsen) & Gabe Nelson (Bellygunner), 4/30/2016
Best Concert Performance
The Lannie Flowers Band, Fort Worth, TX, 7/30/2016
Best Rock And Roll Moment
1. Announcing The Pengwins show, Live Oak Music Hall, Fort Worth, TX, 7/30/2016.
2. Post-Christmas “Power Pop Summit”, Canter’s Deli, Los Angeles, CA, 12/26/2016, with The Armoires, The Cherry Bluestorms, Butch Young, and John Borack.
3. Finally met several online musical friends in person this year: DJ’s Gidget Marusak (Woody Radio) and Dave “Boogieman” Kaufman (Radio NY International). Musicians Maria Sokratis, Delbert Raines, Rex Broome, Christina Bulbenko, Butch Young, Jack Watkins. Writer/choreographer/famed go-go dancer Elaine McAfee Bender.
4. Natalie Cortez & the Ultraviolets reunion show, Fox and Goose, Sacramento, CA, 10/30/2016.
5. Big Day of Giving, to benefit Access Sacramento. 7 hours of radio with Cindy Baker, 5/3/2016.
Wayback Award (aka “Whoa! A re-release of a great 1988 album!”)
Blake Babies, for their 1988 album Earwig
Cover Song of the Year
Bud Rogers – Starman (David Bowie cover)
Best Compilation Album
Big Stir, a compilation of artists who have played at the monthly L.A. power pop showcase of the same name, curated by The Armoires
Reason To Live Award
New releases expected by the following artists in 2017: Maxi Dunn, Gretchen’s Wheel, Edward Rogers, Blake Jones & the Trike Shop, and more!
Best Dressed
Rex Broome and Christina Bulbenko, The Armoires
Best Album Title
Waving Kissyhead, Vol. 1, by the Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Best Band Name
David Brookings and the Average Lookings
Beverage of the Year
Top beverages consumed during production of Twirl Radio.
1. Coffee
2. Water
3. Tea
Top Albums of 2016:
1. Edward Rogers – Glass Marbles
2. Cult Of Wedge – Loch Ness Monsters and Motherships
3. Pacific Soul Ltd. – The Dance Divine
4. Gretchen’s Wheel – Fragile State/Behind The Curtain
5. Identical Suns – Identical Suns
6. Lisa Said – No Turn Left Behind
7. The Armoires – Incidental Light Show
8. Brian Cullman – The Opposite Of Time
9. Allyson Seconds – Little World
10. Girls On Grass – Girls On Grass
11. Anton Barbeau – Magic Act
12. Bill Lloyd – Lloyd-ering
13. The Well Wishers – Comes And Goes
14. Jason Berk – Everything Old Is New Again
15. SLD – Indigo Gray
Top Songs of 2016:
1. Identical Suns – Common Ground
2. Allyson Seconds – Little World
3. Pacific Soul Ltd. – We Go High
4. Bay Station – Be Kind
5. Cartorson – Hearts On The Highway
6. Heroes Of Toolik – Perfect
7. Bud Rogers – Intercity Mars
8. The Mysteries Of Life – Coat Of Arms
9. Edward Rogers – Burn N Play
10. Cult Of Wedge – Oh Lindsay
11. Gretchen’s Wheel – Younger Every Year
12. Anton Barbeau – High Noon
13. Eric Friedmann And The Lucky Rubes – Nice!
14. Jason Berk – Changes By The Day
15. Sam Phillips – World On Sticks
16. Mimi Betinis – Pontiac
17. The Armoires – Fort Ashby
18. Girls On Grass – Father Says Why
19. Lisa Said – Been Around
20. The Alan Fox Band – If You’re Scared
21. SLD – Do Or Say
22. Duggy Degs – Meltdown
23. Desario – Down Among Them
24. The Jangle Band – Perth
25. Gail George – Amaranthine
26. David Brookings And The Average Lookings – You’re Right, It Went So Wrong
27. Rob Martinez – Love Life
28. Blake Jones And The Trike Shop – My Girl (She Brings Me)
29. Allen Clapp – Moss Falls Like Rain
30. Butch Young – Mercury Man
Top EPs of 2016
1. The Mysteries Of Life – Bad Advice
2. Bud Rogers – Starman
3. Sam Phillips – Human Contact Is Never Easy
4. Desario – Red Returns
5. Brian Cullman – New Year’s Eve
On today’s show, we welcomed H. Miller and Tom Delfavero of the band Sons of Morning. These guys hail from upstate New York, and are heavily influenced by American and British blues, straight up rock and roll, and even country. Their music alternates between raw garage rock and sophisticated arrangements–but usually with a nod to roots rock. They were holed up in Babyhead Studios, taking a break from recording their next album when we talked. They were kind enough to let us play two of the new tracks on today’s show, and we had a lively, spirited chat! Enjoy the podcast.
Artist | Track | Album
The Jeremy Band | Hit You With A Flower | Hit You With A Flower
Sam Phillips | Troubles Won’t Stay | Human Contact Is Never Easy
Three Minute Tease | MTV Song | Bite The Hand
Maxi Dunn | How Was I To Know | Welcome To Soonville
Bud Rogers | Intercity Mars | Starman
R.E.M. | Ignoreland | Automatic For The People
H. Miller and Tom Delfavero from Sons of Morning interview
Sons Of Morning | Baby’s What’s Wrong | Single release
Sons Of Morning | Evangeline | Single release
The Bobbleheads | Mean Girls | Make Yourself Happy
Sophe Lux And The Mystic | Love Is Waiting | All Are One
Agony Aunts | Back To Back Bill | Big Cinnamon
Irene Peña | Must’ve Been Good | Single release
Natalie Cortez & The Ultraviolets | Take You Home | Stupid Fresh Or Stupid Bad
Duncan Faure | Lies And Promises | 4
Girls On Grass | What They Wrought | Girls On Grass
The Cherry Bluestorms | Baby, You’re A Rich Man | Transit Of Venus
Lannie Flowers | Circles | LIVE in NYC
Chandler Travis Philharmonic | You Got Me Started | Waving Kissyhead, Vol. 2
Edward Rogers | Denmark Street Forgotten | Glass Marbles
Mod Hippie | Gone All Day | Big Wow
Blake Jones & The Trike Shop | RedWhite&BlueSoBlue | Pop Songs & Kyries
Allyson Seconds | Octagon | Little World
On today’s show, we welcomed back Eric Peter Schwartz. He’s a great singer-songwriter from the Chicago area, and he just released a new album, “American Disrepair”. We’ll learn about his varied palette of musical influences–and they are truly all over the lot–and how they fit into his musical worldview.
Due to technical reasons–the big storms we’ve had in the Sacramento area knocked out some of our connectivity–this show didn’t stream live on the internet; it went out over KUBU 96.5 FM in Sacramento only. So for our friends outside the Sacramento region, I’ve posted the audio from the entire show. Enjoy!
Artist | Track | Album
Mod Hippie | Up And Away | Big Wow
Little Tin Frog | The Cigarette Song | Sacpop Compilation
The The | Slow Emotion Replay | Dusk
Maxi Dunn | Sinking In The Sand | Welcome To Soonville
Cirrone | You’re Not Alone | Uplands Park Road
Chandler Travis Philharmonic | Break The Chains | Waving Kissyhead, Vol. 2
Gail George | Fool’s Paradise | Follow Your Bliss!
Eric Peter Schwartz interview
Eric Peter Schwartz | House Of Frankenstein | American Disrepair
Eric Peter Schwartz | Stop. Breathe. Repeat. | American Disrepair
Cult Of Wedge | That Song Last Summer | Loch Ness Monsters And Motherships
Matt North | A Good Day In Nashville | Above Ground Fools
Lisa Said | Been Around | No Turn Left Behind
Butch Young | Persephone | Mercury Man
Duncan Faure | Man Of A Thousand Dreams | Pronounced “Four-Uh”
Lannie Flowers | Another Weekend | LIVE in NYC
Bay Station | Be Kind | Go Out And Make Some
The Jangle Band | Love You Too | Edge Of A Dream
The Armoires | Responsible | Incidental Light Show
Anton Barbeau | High Noon | Magic Act
Gretchen’s Wheel | Younger Every Year | Behind The Curtain
Sons Of Morning | Judy, Judy | Sons Of Morning
Lou Reed | Sick Of You | New York
Today’s show featured an interview with one of my all time favorite singer-songwriters, Sam Phillips. This legendary musician has not only created an amazing catalog of work over the past 30 years, but she also created the score for the Gilmore Girls television series. Her latest EP, “Human Contact is Never Easy”, is a bridge between her last album and her next album, with a couple of live concert performances thrown in. In other words, there something for everybody. The whole thing is wonderful. In the interview, we chatted about all of this, and she even gives you a recipe for a healthy smoothie to help you get through the post-holiday doldrums. Enjoy the podcast! samphillips.com
Artist | Track | Album
Felsen | All You Gotta Do Is Smile | I Don’t Know How To Talk Anymore
Irene Peña | Pieces Of You | Single release
Chandler Travis Philharmonic | Untitled | Waving Kissyhead Vol. 2
Cirrone | All I Know | Uplands Park Road
The Armoires | Double Blades | Incidental Light Show
Maxi Dunn | Full Circle | Operation Bubble
Matt North | I Sold It All | Above Ground Fools
Sam Phillips interview
Sam Phillips | World On Sticks | Human Contact Is Never Easy
Sam Phillips | Walk Don’t Drive | Human Contact Is Never Easy
Sam Phillips | Candles And Stars | Human Contact Is Never Easy
Cartorson | Hearts On The Highway | Richfield Skyline
The Jangle Band | This Soul Is Not For Sale | Edge Of A Dream
Identical Suns | E.M.I.L.Y. | Identical Suns
Gretchen’s Wheel | TryTo Make It | Behind The Curtain
Duncan Faure | Hullo Baby | Machine From The Other Side
Lannie Flowers | Where Does Love Go | LIVE in NYC
The Feelies | Turn Back Time | In Between
Wilbur | An Hour Of Sunshine | This Is Wilbur
Pacific Soul Ltd. | Crazy | The Dance Divine
Cult Of Wedge | Oh Lindsay | Loch Ness Monsters And Motherships
Gail George | He’s An Exclamation! | Follow Your Bliss!
Eric Peter Schwartz | House Of Frankenstein | American Disrepair
The Mysteries Of Life | Coat Of Arms | Bad Advice
Lisa Mychols | I Go Wild | Single release
Today’s show was a moment I’ve been waiting for since the late 1990’s: our very special in-studio guest was the one and only Natalie Cortez! She and her band, The Ultraviolets, were one of the top bands on the Sacramento music scene when I started doing radio. This music became the soundtrack of my life in my new hometown. At the time, I nervously asked Natalie, after a show, if she’d be interested in being on Twirl Radio. She graciously said yes, and I proceeded to chicken out–it was a good two years before I conducted my first radio interview. So finally, I made it up to her, and we had a great visit on the show. She even brought along some great Sacramento and Fresno music for us to hear. I’m looking forward to doing this again.
Artist | Track | Album
The Legal Matters | Minor Key | Conrad
Emily Zuzik | Alone | Angelenos
The Feelies | Stay The Course | In Between
Bud Rogers | Intercity Mars | Starman
Maxi Dunn | Rescue Me | Single release
Duncan Faure | All At Once | Pronounced “Four-Uh”
Natalie Cortez interview
Natalie Cortez & The Ultraviolets | New Year | 10 Who Dared: Live at the Palms
Natalie Cortez & The Ultraviolets | She’s Better | Stupid Fresh
Natalie Cortez & The Ultraviolets | I’m Sorry | Stupid Fresh
Natalie’s picks
Jonah Matranga/Allyson Seconds | Got My List | Single release
Grub Dog | Damnation | Live version
KAK (Gary Lee Yoder) | Disbelievin’ | KAK
Joe Kojima Gray/Grub Dog | Overexposed In The Sun | Live version
Sparklejet | It Never Hurts | Soap
Eric Peter Schwartz | Whip Around The Sun | American Disrepair
Kelly Harland/Dana Countryman | It’s Not Your Fault | Dana Countryman’s Girlville
Edward Rogers | Burn N Play | Glass Marbles
Gail George | Amaranthine | Single release
Allyson Seconds | Little World | Little World
Sam Phillips | World On Sticks | Human Contact Is Never Easy
Cult Of Wedge | When I Was Young | Loch Ness Monsters And Motherships
This show was a rare morning webcast, and unless something special comes up, the last live show of 2016. I broadcasted it live from home, and it was a bit of a marathon, clocking in at 3 hours 45 minutes. We played tons of great indie rock and roll. Happy Holidays to you from Twirl Radio!
Artist | Track | Album
Allen | Hold Me Tight | Simple Things
Crooked Flower | Too Broke To Fix | Between Two Stars
Braam | Sad Christmas | Single release
Bud Rogers | Slave To Passion | Whiteout
Gretchen’s Wheel | The Fourth Wall | Fragile State
Heroes Of Toolik | Perfect | Like Night
SLD | Do Or Say | Indigo Gray
Vegas With Randolph | Lagavulin For Christmas | Above The Blue
Lannie Flowers | Where Does Love Go | Circles
Melissa Phillips | Centralia | Fits & Starts
Sam Phillips | Troubles Won’t Stay | Human Contact Is Never Easy
Snow Birds | Master Of Ceremonies | Single release
Soundserif | John Titor Or The Time Traveler | 12 Pieces In The Shape Of An Apple
The Mysteries Of Life | Bad Advice | Bad Advice
Sparklejet | The Comeback | Beyond The Beyond
Jimmy Catlett | Pale Companion | The Big Beat
Anton Barbeau | High Noon | Magic Act
Sue Leonard | Who Wrote This Book On Love | Leonardville
Dead Heart Bloom | Sentimental Cures | Strange Waves
Duncan Faure | Lies And Promises | 4
The Armoires | Doubtful Sound | Incidental Light Show
Sal Valentino | Hwy 49 | Dreamin’ Man
Gail George | More Than Me | Single release
The Britannicas | Bleed Between The Lines | High Tea
The Feelies | Turn Back Time | In Between
Butch Young | Heartbreak Christmas | Single release
The Corner Laughers | Laughing Stars | Poppy Seeds
The Scratch | Teen Idol | Mad Dogs And Englishness
Maple Mars | Christmastime In The City | Single release
Heiskell | Deep Appreciation | Arriving
Girls On Grass | Father Says Why | Girls On Grass
Maxi Dunn | Meteor Shower | Edmund & Leo
Blake Jones & The Trike Shop | Out And Free And Faraway | The Underground Garden
Chandler Travis Philharmonic | Going Back To Work Tomorrow | Waving Kissyhead Vol. 2
Laurie Biagini | Another Old Lazy Lyin’ On The Beach Afternoon | A Far-Out Place
Identical Suns | Unraveled | Identical Suns
Cult Of Wedge | When I Was Young | Loch Ness Monsters And Motherships
Emily Zuzik | It Don’t Matter To Jesus | You Had Me At Goodbye
Edward Rogers | Bright Star | Glass Marbles
Kaz Murphy | Below The Skin | Home For Misfits
Felsen | All You Gotta Do Is Smile | I Don’t Know How To Talk Anymore
Lisa Said | Been Around | No Turn Left Behind
Cirrone | You’re Not Alone | Uplands Park Road
Brian Cullman | New Year’s Eve | New Year’s Eve
Allyson Seconds | Dust Beneath My Wings | Little World
Jet Electro | I Blame You | Tall Dark And Lonesome: The Story Of Slim Grinder
Kat Jones | He’s The One I Need The Most | He’s The One I Need The Most
Karim Fanous | So Long Jenny J | Stir Crazy
Little Guilt Shrine | What I’m Thinking | Boy Girl Boy
The Cherry Bluestorms | As Above So Below | Bad Penny Opera
Matt North | Come Here Go Away | Above Ground Fools
The Taters | New Girlfriend | Taters Party
Tom Alford | Wasp Lands On Sunflower | Second Foundation
Artist | Track | Album
Edward Rogers | The World Of Mystery | Glass Marbles
Lisa Mychols | Don’t Forget Your Man | Single release
The Spampinato Brothers | Refined Man | Pie In The Sky
Bud Rogers | Starman | Starman
Rob Martinez | Some People Never Change | New Love Environment
Maxi Dunn | Always Be My Friend | Welcome To Soonville
Graham Parker | Over The Border (To America) | Struck By Lightning
The Armoires interview
The Armoires | Fort Ashby | Incidental Light Show
Jenifer Jackson | Mercury, The Sun & Moon | Parasol’s Sweet Sixteen Vol. 3
Brian Cullman | I Know | New Year’s Eve
Gail George | He’s An Exclamation! | Follow Your Bliss!
Blake Jones & The Trike Shop | Christmas Sale | The Underground Garden
Allyson Seconds | Sun Don’t Shine | Little World
Duncan Faure | Ball & Chain | Pronounced “Four-Uh”
Cult Of Wedge | Oh Lindsay | Loch Ness Monsters And Motherships
Gretchen’s Wheel | Live Through You | Behind The Curtain
The Jangle Band | Kill The Lovers | Edge Of A Dream
The Squirrel Nut Zippers | Hell | Single release
Sam Phillips | Pretty Time Bomb | Human Contact Is Never Easy
The Corner Laughers | Some Nights | Don’t Hush, Darling
The Well Wishers | Somebody Lied | Comes And Goes
Lannie Flowers | Another Weekend (live) | LIVE in NYC
Artist | Track | Album
Jeremy | Love Explosion | Love Explosion
Cirrone | All I Know | Uplands Park Road
Emily Zuzik and Geoff Pearlman | Winter In California | Single release
Maxi Dunn | Full Circle | Operation Bubble
Sam Phillips | World On Sticks | Human Contact Is Never Easy
Heroes Of Toolik | Perfect | Like Night
Cartorson | Hearts On The Highway | Single release
Chandler Travis Philharmonic | You Got Me Started | Waving Kissyhead Vol. 2
Danny Wilkerson | It’s Christmas Time | Single release
Lisa Said | Been Around | No Turn Left Behind
Sean O’Brien | Shadow Sharks | Future Harvest
Felsen | Greetings From The Ghost Of Heavy Metal Rock And Roll | I Don’t Know How To Talk Anymore
Matt North | I Sold It All | Above Ground Fools
Pacific Soul Ltd | Tomorrow Brings Tonight | The Dance Divine
Allyson Seconds | Little World | Little World
Bill Lloyd | Let Her Dance | Lloyd-ering
Duncan Faure | England Doesn’t Sleep | Machine From The Other Side
Identical Suns | Baby I’m Down | Identical Suns
The JAC (featuring The Christmas Crew) | Christmas Without Maria | Single release
Gail George | Fool’s Paradise | Follow Your Bliss!
Blake Babies | Your Way Or The Highway | Earwig Demos
The Armoires | Doubtful Sound | Incidental Light Show
Laurie Biagini | The California Quake | A Go-Go Girl In A Modern World
Duggy Degs | Meltdown | Another Good Thought
The Pengwins | Shake Some Action | Single release
The Corner Laughers | Don’t Hush, Darling (an anti-lullaby) | Single release
Cult Of Wedge | She’s A Witch | Loch Ness Monsters And Motherships
Artist | Track | Album
Lisa Mychols | I Go Wild | Single release
Brian Cullman | New Year’s Eve | New Year’s Eve
Sam Phillips | If I Could Write | Human Contact Is Never Easy
Walker Brigade | DIsEASE | Big Stir compilation
Maxi Dunn | September Sun, October Morning | Operation Bubble
Bud Rogers | Fight Or Flight | Starman
Allyson Seconds | Dust Beneath My Wings | Little World
Adam Waltemire interview
Identical Suns | No Vacancy | Single release
Matthew & Gunnar Nelson, Carnie & Wendy Wilson | This Christmas | Single release
The E.P.s | Beach Fluff | Chuck
Ivory Tower Project | When Friends Become Lovers | Single release
The Handcuffs | Wonderful Life | Electroluv
XTC | No Thugs In Our House | English Settlement
Duncan Faure | Where Is The Music | Pronounced “Four-Uh”
Blake Jones & The Trike Shop | Clever Things | Pop Songs & Kyries
The Mysteries Of Life | Bad Advice | Bad Advice
Rose Reiter | Top | What I Don’t Get
David Brookings And The Average Lookings | Time To Go | David Brookings And The Average Lookings
Scott McChane | The Angels Of Madness Shine | The Angels Of Madness Shine
The Catbirds | Pajama Pants Baby | Catbirds Say Yeah
The Armoires | Double Blades | Incidental Light Show
Gail George | You Are There | The Barrio Sessions
Felsen | Dr. Fujimoto Speaks | I Don’t Know How To Talk Anymore
Here is the complete list of 2017 Twirlie Award winners, presented live on Twirl Radio, Saturday, February 4, 2017, in Sacramento, California, at Access Sacramento’s KUBU 96.5 FM. Congratulations to all, and more importantly, a big thank you to all the great independent musicians who make it possible for me to do this radio show.
Twirl Radio 