Fine Line: 'Interviews' Section

PS- the New Science Projects’ new album, Crocodile is freakin’ AWESOME! —– much more on this video, the album, et al a bit later….

Hunter was just askin’ me what my weekend music plans were and I couldn’t remember the show I stuck in the back of my head, then promptly forgot. Thankfully, Geoff Johnston threw-down an interview (and reminded me of that show) with my long time love, American Werewolf Academy…I been wonderin’ where those boys be hidin’….

You’d be hard-pressed to find more viscerally efficient rock songs than those assembled by American Werewolf Academy.

A typical AWA song behaves like the ill-mannered mutant stepchild of a drunken bar band sing-along and a soaring arena rock anthem. It’s 1960s Texas psych-rock, ’70s guitar crunch and ’80s college-radio jangle compacted into commercial break-sized nuggets.

While singer-guitarist Aaron Thedford serves as head Werewolf in charge, it’s the sum of its parts that make AWA such a fun and ferocious group. The rhythm section boasts fine local-music pedigrees. Drummer Tony Harper (the Drams, Slobberbone) and bassist Jake Barnhart (Little Grizzly, Raised by Tigers) provide ample architecture for Thedford’s lumbering rock ‘n’ roll beast.

Currently at work recording the follow-up to 2005’s Tell Them Right Now!, Thedford brought us up to date on the state of the Academy in an e-mail interview. READ!

I really love this band. I used to end my webcasts with this song.

So like, come with me to the Double Wide on Saturday night, April 12th, to catch American Werewolf Academy. There’s some Bug Nasties and The Mullens in the mix too.

“The Good Time Kids” by American Werewolf Academy

Be sure to stop by and say hey to Hunter and check out his Liner Notes. ED. NOTE: The Mokah Summit Showcase Hunter mentions, has been moved to Sunday, April 20th so we can all enjoy and support the day at Good Records on Saturday.

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The Fine Line, Hal Samples and our ringleader, Cash wanna grant one wish for Mayor Mackey. We can’t exactly get him his own talk show, but we can (and have) ask him to guest-host the first FineLineLive.com weekly Webcast. More on that later….but for now, jot down the following:

Thursday, March 27, 2008
Location: SPACE (feel free to drop by!)
Live Video Webcast on The Fine Line
1 PM CST
Your Host: Mayor Mackey
Co-hosted by: Hal, Cindy, Greg, Gramma and of course Cash
Lots of musical Surprises and Special Guests

Watch these previews for the latest development in our project “Dreamtown”, an independent documentary that makes the invisible visible by bringing social consciousness into the main stream, and delivers a raw and unbiased perspective. This is a glimpse at one of several surfacing products advocating social awareness through “Dreamtown”. My comrades are very busy with this one and I’m very proud of the results. Have a look!

Filmed and Directed by Hal Samples
Edited by Jeremy Bush
Music by Hendrick
Visuaal.com

Them Denton rockin’ supastahs Record Hop grace the cover of Quick today. Good ol’ Hunter Hauk. He’s so damn dependable about getting the good bands on the cover….and Record Hop is a really good band.

Go now. Read.

We’re launching a new series here at The Fine Line, “!0 Minutes (or so) With…” in which we do live video “interviews” and such — keeping them 10 minutes or less in time. Our first one outta the chute…

Me here at FineLineLive.com headquarters have had a mad passion for Cas Haley and his band Woodbelly for like a really really really long time. Me here at FineLineLive.com headquarters spent many, many a night at the Curtain Club (mostly) watching Woodbelly perform, always in complete and utter awe at Cas’ talent and his amazing voice.

So it was an absolute honor to get to spend some time with Cas last week. Cas found himself in the national spotlight when landing a spot on America’s Got Talent, and nearly pulled off the #1 spot and a million-bucks - but second place ain’t so bad either.

Cas Haley, the runner-up of NBC’s summertime hit series, “America’s Got Talent,” made his much-anticipated international debut with an iTunes exclusive album release February 14th, and it’s already climbed the charts as the top-selling Reggae album.

The 26-year-old Texas native, who captivated viewers from across the nation and abroad with his unique reggae-infused sound, brings his signature style to a wider audience with the introduction of his self-titled studio album. The release features several original songs, as well as a couple Haley made popular when he performed them on the televised talent competition, which showcased an array of hopeful performers vying for a $1-million grand prize. These songs include several originals, Haley’s rendition of the Commodores’ “Easy”, as well as acoustic and full-band versions of the Police’s “Walking on the Moon”. And while the album can only currently be purchased through Apple’s iTunes store as DRM-free, high-complexity files, plans are in the works for a more conventional CD release further down the line.

As one of the album’s first singles, “Walking on the Moon” features presentation of the song that’s true to the inaugural performance he made when he first introduced himself to the world.
The other single from the album, “I Wish That I”, is a unique blend of pop/reggae and is the perfect introduction to Haley’s greatest talents of all – his songwriting and lyricism. As well, this song is a great example of the vocal versatility Haley demonstrates often on the album as he crosses genres, from blues to pop to reggae.

In a bold move and with the support of his manager Griffin Guess, the album’s executive producer and founder of Los Angeles-based Cartel Management, Haley decided to release the album as an independent artist without the support of a major label. Since the final episode of “America’s Got Talent” aired, he has been hard at work showcasing his talent through performances across the country. These include a week long stint in Branson, Mo., and an appearance during the halftime show of the Dallas,Cowboys’ home season opener in front of a sold-out crowd at Texas Stadium.

He also plans to travel the country and play many more shows to come, including a March 22 appearance at the Avalon Theater in Hollywood, Calif.

Friday, March 14th
Granada Theater
Cas Haley & Woodbelly CD Release w/ Fishing for Comets / Jah Roots
Doors at 7 PM
Purchase Tickets

Ya’ll come on back today at 3:30 PM if’n you wanna check out Cas Haley live at Tomcast Studios. We’ll go live (video streaming) to chat with Cas about his adventures on America’s Got Talent, as well as his new release and the whaddup in CasWorld.

You’ll find a chat room under the video box, so feel free to jump in and ask Cas any ol’ thang you wanna!

Cas Haley, the runner-up of NBC’s summertime hit series, “America’s Got Talent,” made his much-anticipated international debut with an iTunes exclusive album release February 14th, and it’s already climbed the charts as the top-selling Reggae album.

The 26-year-old Texas native, who captivated viewers from across the nation and abroad with his unique reggae-infused sound, brings his signature style to a wider audience with the introduction of his self-titled studio album. The release features several original songs, as well as a couple Haley made popular when he performed them on the televised talent competition, which showcased an array of hopeful performers vying for a $1-million grand prize. These songs include several originals, Haley’s rendition of the Commodores’ “Easy”, as well as acoustic and full-band versions of the Police’s “Walking on the Moon”. And while the album can only currently be purchased through Apple’s iTunes store as DRM-free, high-complexity files, plans are in the works for a more conventional CD release further down the line.

As one of the album’s first singles, “Walking on the Moon” features presentation of the song that’s true to the inaugural performance he made when he first introduced himself to the world.
The other single from the album, “I Wish That I”, is a unique blend of pop/reggae and is the perfect introduction to Haley’s greatest talents of all – his songwriting and lyricism. As well, this song is a great example of the vocal versatility Haley demonstrates often on the album as he crosses genres, from blues to pop to reggae.

In a bold move and with the support of his manager Griffin Guess, the album’s executive producer and founder of Los Angeles-based Cartel Management, Haley decided to release the album as an independent artist without the support of a major label. Since the final episode of “America’s Got Talent” aired, he has been hard at work showcasing his talent through performances across the country. These include a week long stint in Branson, Mo., and an appearance during the halftime show of the Dallas,Cowboys’ home season opener in front of a sold-out crowd at Texas Stadium.

He also plans to travel the country and play many more shows to come, including a March 22 appearance at the Avalon Theater in Hollywood, Calif.

First thing I read this morning, after my second Sugar-Free Red Bull, was this week’s Dallas Observer Music section. To be precise, Pete Freedman’s article on last weekend’s Melodica Fest…*nervous laughter ensued*…

I’ve written, re-written and re-written again, my thoughts on both sides of his article. Frankly, I wasn’t there for any of it, rather I was at parent’s weekend in Austin with the girl-child. I don’t know Wanz Dover, nor who is behind the anonymous WeShotJR, both of whom were involved in bringing Melodica to fruition. However, I think, across the board, that everyone (including Pete) is in agreement that the Melodica lineup, and the idea as a whole, was interesting, exciting and quite excellent.

The commenters are crawling out of every nook and cranny…

“Good job on failing to report about the MUSIC at a MUSIC festival. Not one mention on any bands that played melodica. Oh well another opportunity the observer squandered.”

“what a wasted opportunity for the dallas observer you could have turned the tide by actually writing about local music”

“Go fuck yourself dude.”

I’d also like to add that the Dallas Observer, Pete Freedman, Rich Lopez, Chelsea Ide and the rest done covered and promoted and blogged and interviewed and reminded everyone throughout the days and weeks leading up to Melodica, ad nauseum. They also did the same throughout the festival, as well as after the whole shebang was over and done with.

Just about every musical extravaganza that’s gone on here in our fair city got/gets its fair share of praise and/or bashing. Some of the bashing coming straight from the mouths (or fingers) of the same folks bashing Pete’s article. Take it and dish it out? Guess not.

I’m not really sayin’, one way or another. Like I said, I wasn’t even in town for it and I have no personal attachment to the players. I’ve been doing this music thang for nearly 8 years, blogging for nearly 6 of those years. In some ways, I’ve seen and read it all. In case you haven’t noticed already, the Observer has it’s way of doing things, take it or leave it. But ferchrissakes, quit acting so surprised.

You can get WeShotJR’s take on Pete’s article here.

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Photo by Allison V. Smith

That over-paid-professional-journalist (heh - private joke), Darryl Smyers got to do the sit-n-chat with the great Todd Gautreau, the brilliance behind Crushed Stars…

Gossamer Days, though, features a rather prominent cast of locals, including Pleasant Grove’s Jeff Ryan, Taylor Reed from Cordelane and a trumpet player Gautreau claims to have found on Craigslist.

“I’m not even sure I spelled his name right on the insert,” Gautreau says, laughing.

It was with Ryan, however, that Gautreau found more than a session player. Playing drums, bells and keyboards, Ryan helped bring focus to Gautreau’s shapeless muse, adding definition to help rein in the frontman’s tendency to ramble.

“With Jeff, it was the first time I worked with someone who really contributed creatively,” Gautreau says. “It wasn’t just another guy playing the parts that I showed him.”

Much of the new effort was mastered by Stuart Saikes (Sikes) (who has worked with the likes of Cat Power, The White Stripes and Modest Mouse). That pairing further increased the shared process that has historically not been part of Gautreau’s modus operandi. Reflecting like-minded influences such as The Clientele and Red House Painters, Crushed Stars exists primarily as a studio creation that, much to Gautreau’s irritation, must occasionally perform in clubs…Read it all.

You can listen to a track from Gossamer Days, (”Spies”), on Todd’s MySpace page. Or better yet, go getcher own damn copy of the album. Or better still, go to that damn Double Wide so you can catch those damn Crushed Stars live on Saturday, March 1st, along with that damn Pleasant Grove and that damn Stumptone. Damn good!

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Daaaaayuuuum…oh come on, you knew I’d say it.

That Darryl Smyers also reminds us of a durn fine show a’comin’ to Bend Studio tomorrow night, Friday, February 29th…

…It’s one thing to claim soul as an influence and quite another to actually put the classic authority of Al Green and Sly Stone to proper use. Dan Dyer sings with an instinctive urgency that incorporates elements of country, blues and soul, tying things together with what’s universal in the best of each genre: intensity.

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Further proof that I need to get out more. Why the hell can’t I end up at shows as splendidly dramatic as this one Jesse Hughey witnessed…

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There’s more. All you gotta do is click.

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Um…duh.

Look, I ain’t got much to toot my (very unused) horn about, ‘cept the young’un’s (girl and boy-child), and choosing some of the right friends. So I’ll always take full credit for Doug Burr. So what if he’s the most talented and gifted singer-songwriter in the world. Who cares if he’s worked his ass off gigging and promoting, even long after I was his band’s booking agent. Big deal that he tirelessly writes new and brilliant songs in the few hours that he can manage, outside of his wife, kids and full time job. I still want, and demand, full credit.

Having known Doug for nearly a decade, along with the fact that it was his voice and his music that urged me to even take a look at the live local music scene, nearly a decade ago…it comes as no long-overdue surprise when Doug gets national attention. He gets international attention too, ya know.

I do like it, though, when another fan jumps on the Dougie-wagon, and finds a wee bit of pride in our local talent…Pete Freedman done jumped…

…and there was Paste magazine’s placement of local folk singer Doug Burr within both the confines of its February compilation CD (with the song “Thing About Trouble”) and its pages (Burr was named in one of the magazine’s monthly “4 to Watch” musician features).

Hardly a bad way to kick off the year.

But was it coincidence? A matter of the national media finally picking up on something our locals have known for so long? Or was it that the local supporters of these artists were finally knocking down the right doors? …Read this silly.

…I’m mulling over the idea of making Pete Freedman my idea too. You know, full credit and all that stuff? Yeah, that’s what I might do…

“Come to My Senses” by Doug Burr

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Robert Wilonsky makes nice mention of Erykah Badu’s upcoming release, Nu Amerykah Part 1: The Fourth World War, and rightly so…I’ve heard nothing but greatness pertaining to this new album. Wilonsky shares newsworthy scoopage far and wide…go here…and here…and here.

For a long time—about three years—Erykah Badu figured maybe she was done making records. It started around the time she released Worldwide Underground in June 2003, which would have been one hell of a farewell: a gritty, fist-in-your-face EP populated by tracks that rambled on and on, some drenched in fuzz, others doused with fury. Nothing was coming; nothing was happening; nothing was everything when she sat down to write…just…something, damn it…She did. Oh how she did.

Yes, she has a date set at the House of Blues in Dallas on Tuesday, February 26th. Purchase tickets before they’s all gone.

Ssssshhhhhhhh. I’ve got a secret. On Monday, February 25th, there will be a super-secret-super-cool-super-fantastic event at a local record shop. There’s talk of it being an “old school” record release party, complete with Ms Badu present so’s we can get stuff signed and, quite frankly, bask in her brilliance. There will also be copies of a way-cool documentary available. As soon as I get the signal, you’ll get the signal.

Watch the video for “Honey.”

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‘memember what I toldsya kiddies - Melodica, Melodica, Melodica!

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Well it seems that Darryl Smyers is a better man than I. Regardless of my efforts to get Mark Olson’s “people” to confirm a video interview with the former Jayhawk, it just didn’t come to pass. But real-live-paid-pro-writers have no trouble gettin’ Olson on the horn…

Speaking from his tour bus just outside Seattle, Mark Olson sounds revitalized and downright giddy. Things are good at the moment for the former leader of the influential alt-country act The Jayhawks.

“I have a real interesting band,” Olson says of the group of musicians backing him on his current solo tour. “It seems like we’ve been playing every night since August.”…yeah…so…read it.

Hell, I’ll still track Mark down somehow, somewhere…

Thursday, February 21st
Good Records
Mark Olson
6 PM

Thursday, February 21st
AllGood Cafe
Todd Deathrage / Mark Olson
8 PM - $15.00

“Part of a documentary shot in NYC while Mark (founding member of The Jayhawks) was doing a residency at Mo Pitkins. “National Express” is a track from Mark’s new album on HackTone Records, ‘The Salvation Blues.’”

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Read the rest of this week’s musical musings.

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PART ONE

Here’s part one all of the time we were privileged enough to spend with the oh-so-fabulous John Bowley and John Wilson. Dave Little did the honors while we just watched and laughed and laughed. The boys played a sold-out show at Poor David’s Pub on Saturday night, and I hear-tell there will be another reunion show coming in the summertime (June 21st at Poor David’s)…enjoy.

PART TWO

I took a drive to Deep Ellum today for a video interview. Driving down Main, on my way to Space, I noticed really, really long lines outside of Tigger’s and that other tattoo joint down the street. I’m talkin’ 30-50 people in line outside both places.

After a little head-scratchin’ and mindless mull, I figured it out! Valentine’s Day tattoos! No wonder the lines were both 2-people deep…like the Ark.

On my way back, I stopped in at Tigger’s and had “Dougie Burr Rules” tattooed on my ass…heh.

The video interview was Reid and I getting to watch Dave Little chat with John Bowley and John Wilson and Rosebud and Billy King. It was really surreal for yours truly. The most vivid memories I have, from the ages of 16-18 years old, are memories from Up Your Alley with Bowley and Wilson. Their Colonoscopy Tour, set to thrill multi-decade fans at Poor David’s Pub on Saturday night, is sold-out. Completely sold-out!

Reid is working on the editing, so we should have the video up here sometime tomorrow. It’s gold…GOLD BABY! Dave Little is, by far, the funniest guy on earth. I’ll give you all the details and more rehash later.

Afterwards, I had lunch with Hal & Melissa, Reid and Greg. Greg is Seth Walker’s road manager. Seth Walker is an artist I’ve loved for nearly a decade. If you haven’t already, you need to check him out. Greg looks just like Kiefer Sutherland. Exactly like him. Then he opened his mouth and sounds like Kiefer Sutherland. Exactly like him. Greg is…how you say…hot! I think he wanted to request that I stop staring…and drooling. Request DENIED! Hot!

Quick is just chock full of music news…Hunter Hauk’s Liner Notes include:

Idol Records news about the wicked awesome Chomsky reunion on Saturday night at The Double Wide. - Read.

The North Texas Battle of the Bands competition. Read.

Stupid, manipulative, makes-a-gal-feel-sorry-for-herself Day…Read.

TONIGHT: It’s Valentine’s Day, which I like to spend on my kitchen floor with pints of ice cream and beer. But feel free to try to keep your No. 1 gal from flirting with Chris Holt when The Slack plays City Tavern, or you can romance her to the groovy instrumentals of Shibboleth at Dada.

…speakin’ of Dada, they are making it easy to get your drunk on earlier. Read.

Hunter also graciously mentioned a lil’ project I got in da’ works on Saturday. I’ll let him tease it, and I’ll fill you in on the rest a lil’ later. Read.

The New Frontiers are featured with a nice Q&A. Read.

Never forget Nightlife (the music blog) and the Boogie Spot.

Scooch over Hunter and gimme a spoon…sigh..

So have you heard? There’s a new kid in town. Me thinks, even this early, that I’m gonna get along with this kid…real…good-like…

…Which brings us (oh yeah…) to the music itself. Some of the live performers I caught in my Dallas early-goings were really fucking good: indie rockers Ella Minnow, grindcore duo the Akkolytes, Centro-matic frontman Will Johnson, Pleasant Grove frontman Marcus Striplin and the guys who spin at The Cavern’s Cool Out Mondays. Some were really fucking weird: Loop 12 and The Great Tyrant, upon first sight/listen weren’t the surefire hits I was promised. And some were really fucking sleep-inducing (really!): Victory March’s instrumental rock sound wasn’t exciting enough to keep a member of Here in Arms from falling asleep on a couch in the back of The Cavern when the two acts shared a bill there.

So what does this all mean? Hell if I know. But I’m pretty stoked to continue trying to finding outREAD!

You couldn’t pay me enough to be in Pete Freedman’s shoes. Well, you could pay me enough to, literally, wear his shoes, but we are not talking literally. The past few years have seen many a Dallas Observer music editor come and go. Some by choice. Some, not so much. If you want to get a healthy, steamy, passionate debate going—head down to Deep Ellum and bring up the subject of the “local music scene.” So it’s an interesting position Pete has for himself, both literally and figuratively. Meet the new Music Editor for the Dallas Observer…Mr. Pete Freedman…

Here’s what I know about him:

1) I think he’s from New England.

2) He just moved here from Colorado Springs where he was the Arts and Entertainment Editor for the Colorado Independent.

3) If he gets stood-up, for whatever reason, he’ll still sit at the bar with a cold beer and talk Flaming Lips with a fellow music lover.

4) Hunter says “he seems like a good guy.”

5) He’s interested, motivated and excited about his new job in his new town in his new music community. That’s all I can really ask.

So welcome him. Let’s lose our “it shoulda been __________” attitudes and let this kid do his thang. M’kay?

Okay, now that we have that settled, go read Pete’s debut here.

It’s nice to know that even the young’un’s can throw out their backs too…Jesse Hughey writes:

Just months after opening for Interpol during its fall 2007 tour, Liars is back on the road, despite singer/guitarist Angus Andrew’s painful back injury, which has the frontman mostly seated during recent shows. (Andrew says he was just “tidying up” and reaching for a cushion when his back gave out.)…You know what to do.

First read the rest of the interview with Angus Andrews and Jesse Hughey. You can catch Liars a couple of times in Texas:

Saturday, February 16th
The Mohawk (Austin)
Liars w/No Age / Cex
Outdoor Stage
10 PM - All Ages
Purchase Tickets

Sunday, February 17th
Hailey’s (Denton)
Liars w/No Age - DJ Select
Doors at 8 PM - All Ages
Purchase Tickets

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Here’s another reason I’m going to love Pete Freedman. And no, I’m not kissing-ass. I think he’s kinda witty.

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The greatness of shows this weekend is mind-boggling. You’ll hear more from me in the coming days, but listen to the paid professionals too:

The Paper Chase / Micah P. Hinson / Shiny Around the Edges at Sons
Rose County Fair / Folly Fandango at The Cavern
Dove Hunter / Doug Burr / Bridges & Blinking Lights at the Double Wide.

Tribute to DJ Frantic

Finally, Jesse Hughey honors the life and talent of Fran “DJ Frantic” Erck…

…Despite his skills, friends say Erck remained humble. Abbott, who considered Erck to be his brother, says his combined absence of greed and love of music was profound.

“We agreed that our venture wasn’t about the money or the fame,” Abbott wrote. “It was simply about making good music and having fun. We wanted to give more than receive. We were already rich in the things that mattered most to us. We wanted to stay humble and not let anything interfere with our deep love for our music and our deep admiration and respect for each other. We loved doing shows much more than making money from the shows. We kept this pact.”

DJ Frantic’s death will leave a big gap in the DFW hip-hop community, says producer/rapper Richard “Picnic” Escobedo. Picnic’s hip-hop group, PPT, had performed with Erck’s Clever Monkeys on a few occasions.

“He was the first guy that I ever really met…that was the true definition of what a disc jockey is,” Picnic says. “I don’t know anybody that went as far with it as him. That’s some really rare shit. I don’t know anybody that was doing anything like him. I don’t know if anybody understands how big of a loss this is. ” …

Please read the rest.

“Just want you to be aware that’s a self portrait painting of him holding the wine glass. From the biggest tip spray can to the smallest setting on an airbrush, Sergio rules!” ~Frank Campagna~

The city is all a’buzz about Sergio Garcia’s first solo exhibit, FORMAL opening on Saturday, February 16th at Kettle Art. Rightly so. Sergio is beloved, respected and admired by his fans, friends and artistic cohorts alike. He is, how you say…genius.

Ms. Alison (aka the Sub-Rosa) conducted a fantabulous interview with Sergio, in anticipation for this fabtastic event on Saturday…

From graffiti artist, to airbrush artist, from putting together huge murals to putting together huge art shows, Sergio Garcia is a man of many trades. He’s been one of the creative minds that works behind the scenes at Kettle Art Gallery in Deep Ellum, and this Saturday Kettle Art Gallery will proudly host Sergio’s first solo exhibit, Formal.

I’ve known Sergio for over a year now. I consider him a dear friend, but if you didn’t know us, you’d think that we hate each other. Truth is we are like bickering siblings, and I love all my siblings, especially the ones I bicker with…read it silly.

Saturday, February 16th (through March 2nd)
Kettle Art
Formal - Works by Sergio Garcia
7 PM - Formal Attire Encouraged

The girl-child shot this photo of Hal shooting photos and part of the D210 kids shooting video of Pikahsso’s big-ass blow-out at Space last Friday night.

The videos D210 shot are up and available for your watching pleasure. Click.

Well hell. I didn’t get the memo. It seems that the darling DuPree’s were on Conan O’Brien last night. Just to drive my lameness straight home, I didn’t even know Conan was still on the air….my gawd, I’m becoming my grandmother…

A little birdie told me that those Eisley kids also grace the cover of Ragged, as well as a feature on Filter TV.

…I just wanna eat’em up…

Photo by Hal Samples

Tim DeLaughter made the Guest List in Pitchfork…

Welcome to the latest edition of Pitchfork’s Guest List. Each week, we ask one of our favorite artists to fill us in on what they’ve been up to lately: which tracks they can’t stop spinning, what books they can’t put down, and what new bands they’ve caught on tour. This week, it’s the Polyphonic Spree frontman Tim DeLaughter, who tries to choose a favorite instrument from his band’s orchestra, confesses his love for Percy Faith’s “elevator music,” and explains why the only good radio station in Dallas is run by a high school…Read it all.

I know things have sucked around here as of late. Kids graduating, moving to other cities, operations, and all the other crap life throwsatcha. However, look here for some big changes in the coming weeks. Reid and I are cookin’ up some good “Inside the Mind” sessions with some mighty fine folks, so don’t give up on me just yet. Meantime, here’s another one from the vault…enjoy…

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A couple of months ago Reid and I got to hang out at the KDGE 102.1 studio. The interview went up on QuickDFW.com, or at least part one did. After computer crashes, website crashes and other such technicalities, I’ve finally finished up part two and now I shall present both for your listening pleasure.

Josh Venable explains the hows and whys as to his reasons for entering the world of radio. He also fesses-up to a Sunday night meeting at Barley House in which our future mayor joins in the fun, as well as loads of band/music chat.

Reid Robinson co-hosts like the pro he be…

Josh Venable Part One

Josh Venable Part Two

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Moving sucks. Packing sucks. No time for bloggin’ - so I’ll leave you with another repeat…

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Originally recorded for QuickDFW.com
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Pikahsso Allen Poe calls legendary DJ EZ Eddie D “the Godfather of DFW underground hip-hop.” You should always listen to Pikahsso, he know of what he speaketh…

DJ EZ Eddie D has cultivated a career as a DJ, remixer and producer for more than 24 years. Being the closest thing to a hip-hop historian that Dallas has ever known, he has worked with the early pioneers as well as many of the current up-and-comers. From his early days growing up in Finneytown (a suburb in Cincinnati) to his 23 years in Dallas, it’s no surprise to find his influences are all over the musical map. With a collection containing everthing from R&B to classic rock, funk to retro and blues to hip-hop, his studio is the Mecca record collectors dream of.”

“His main focus today is fusing all of these genres with hip-hop beats creating a distinctive sound all his own. In 1982, Dallas DJ The Master Mixer taught Eddie how to blend records, and also introduced him to the radio station KNON 89.3 “The Voice of the People.” He interned and moved his way up the ranks, working with DJ Cisco Soul & the Party Patrol and Nippy Jones of the “Fresh & Freaky Friday Show” (later KKDA). Nippy helped groom him for his own time slot. In 1987, station manager Craig Taylor gave him that chance with his first show airing Thursday nights from 9 to 11. The show moved a few times before finally landing on Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m., where you can still tune in weekly for “Knowledge Dropped-Lessons Taught (Vol.2).” It is the only source Dallas has for true underground hip-hop, and a public radio station is a perfect forum for his philosophies on politics, religion, racism and social responsibility.

Reid Robinson and I met up at Gachet Coffee recently to go Inside the Mind of EZ Eddie D and had ourselves a delightful time. Did we catch the whole thing on audio? But of course, darlings.

Our good man Alex Kanakis hung out with Eddie at the KNON 89.3 studio and caught some super-sweet video.

Check out the Eddie D video here (Video)

Be sure and tune in to 89.3 KNON every Saturday night for DJ Eddie D’s Knowledge Dropped Lessons Taught - 5-7 p.m.

The interview includes tracks from P.P.T. and Pikahsso.

Inside the Mind - DJ EZ Eddie D

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Inside the Mind Series:
~George Gimarc
~Josh Venable
~DJ EZ Eddie D
~Jeff Liles

Photo by Allison V. Smith

Reid and I met up with Sam Machkovech for a chit and a chat that lasted a solid 2 hours 45 minutes. Our talks were, of course, interwoven with subjects and comments not meant for all ears. That, coupled with moving stuff, makes editing a long long time consuming feat.

So here’s part one. Part two is on the editing board. We luvs us some SaMach and we hope you will too…be back later with the other half…

Inside the Mind - Sam Machkovech (Part One)