Listening Lyrics

Mariam Diakite and Erich Huffaker of Orchestra Gold joined us in the studio (photo by Jeff Shaw)this week, treating us to a live song and some insights into their music.

The word "fusion" is not used in the sound of this amazing Bay Area band. But psychedelic, rock, brass and masterful guitar work does make a wonderful fusion with Malian music. 

From its website: "Orchestra Gold's vibrant sound is spearheaded by the dynamic Mariam Diakite, whose raw, hypnotic vocals deliver heartfelt and thought-provoking lyrics in the highly symbolic Bambara language. While paying homage to Malian musical traditions, this fierce new sound thrives with heavy swinging rhythms, a funky fresh brass section, and cosmic guitar licks. With the January 2023 release of their third album, Medicine, this profoundly spiritual and dance-inducing ensemble continues their pursuit of spreading healing and community through the universal gift of music." Mariam also has dance moves. If you're into dancing, check it out.

Billy Larkin and Eric Jordan join in today for a lively discussion, including AI in Music, Fobfest, KDRT's 20th anniversary, Pete Rose, Cissy Houston, Yolo's 4th Annual Mid-Winter Cabaret July 8th in Winters (an extraordinary evening of pure enchantment, fantastic talent, community, and the joy of giving.)

NOTE: Between minute 13:10 and 15:30 in this broadcast we had some technical difficulties

Billy Larkin joined me in the studio this week to discuss the power of music. He chose these songs to talk about, and we played snippets from most:

From his website: "Billy Larkin is an award-winning pianist/composer who has been bringing his individual brand of musical artistry to audiences for over 40 years. He is a composer and arranger who defies easy categorization and helps define true expression through the collaborative process."

"Music gives the soul to the universe" -- Plato

"Music is the food of love, play on"  -- William Shakespeare

................LISTEN UP...................

Listen Up! It's the KDRT volunteer newsletter that is produced monthly. In it is always a wonderful list of music selections. Below is this month's list of albums: I have selected one song from each. Enjoy the show. The goal is to broaden our ears to what's out there regardless of genre.

New releases keep our air sound fresh and engaging! A little sumpin’ for everyone…

The BellRays – Heavy Steady Go – LA heavy rock with steady soul vocals – going strong since 1990

The Bug Club – On the Intricate Inner Workings of the System – fun, cute poppy punk from Wales

Colin Stetson – The Love It Took to Leave You – mesmerizing saxophone magic

David Oistrakh – The Violin Master – mid-century classical mastery from back in the USSR

Fake Fruit – Mucho Mistrust – rocking post-punk from Oakland

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland – smoother but no-less-lovely-than-expected folk

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – Flight b741 – this time, it’s '70s-ish blues rock, “woos” and all

MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks – gloriously twangy, lyric-focused folk-rock

Nancy Sinatra – Nancy in London – the definitive reissue, “Summer Wine” and all

Nick Lowe & Los Straightjackets – Indoor Safari – Nick’s pop + mucho reverb – and, oh, the cover!

Osees (Thee Oh Sees) – SORCS 80 – this time, it’s proggy, synthy garage rock – and is that a sax?

Peggy Lee – From the Vaults – a series of Capitol classics from the queen of popular standards

Robyn Hitchcock – 1967: Vacations in the Past – groovy covers from the titular year (+ one original)

Tami Neilson – Neilson Sings Nelson – Tami near-channels Patsy to take on the one and only Willie

Ty Segal – Love Rudiments – it’s pretty much modern-jazz percussion – yes, you read that right

Ryan Williams, Chris O'Keefe and Dani Judith are three members of Rainbow City Park. Their love of music and exuberance of life shine in their musical output. It truly was a pleasure to get to know them.

Here's the band's story from its website: "Rainbow City Park is an indie alt-rock/dream pop band from Northern California. The band draws inspiration from 90’s alt-rock acts such as Third Eye Blind and The Smashing Pumpkins, infusing their music with a modern twist akin to the sounds of Boygenius and Snail Mail. Band members reside in both San Francisco and the Central Valley, converging in Sacramento for rehearsals.

"Sonically, Rainbow City Park takes you on a journey through various soundscapes, from dance-inducing rhythmic sections to heavy breakdowns, to ethereal interludes where shimmering guitars blend seamlessly with the vocals. The lyrical content often delves into existential and melancholic themes, offering a stark contrast to the buoyant musical atmosphere. This juxtaposition finds its resonance with artists they admire, such as Phoebe Bridgers, Frightened Rabbit, and Pinegrove.

"Fronting the band is the charismatic Dani Judith, a multi-talented artist who wears the hats of an audio engineer and music teacher when she’s not playing with Rainbow City Park. The trio of guitarists, including Dani herself, Nick Nassab, and Chris O’Keefe, weaves intricate melodies that intertwine with Dani’s vocals. Their signature indie-rock sound is heavily influenced by their love of Fender guitars and an array of pedals that shape their tone. The rhythm section provides the backbone of the band, with accomplished musicians Dwight Struthers on bass and Ryan Williams on drums. 

"As a five-piece with Dani as lead vocalist, the band released three songs in 2023: double single 'Broken Record / Dad Jeans' in May and 'Convince You' in October." In February 2024, Rainbow City Park began supporting the release of its next single, “Valentine’s Day 1999,” with a series of shows throughout California.

This week Casey Groat and James Murphy spend some time free-form bantering with me, creating one sweet hour of radio.

Inner Nature(FKA Fashionista Boyfriend) is the work of Casey Groat from Sacramento. Having started as just a kid with an interest in making noises with the computer, the project has matured into themes such as love and loss, as well as experimenting with sampling and songs with meaning and purpose. Artists such as Washed Out, Toro Y Moi, Small Black and Neon Indian are a big influence on the sound. The live act is a three-piece featuring Casey, James Murphy (Ancient Astronaut, Saint Solitaire, Ihabial) and Austin Mooney.

This show is streamed at KDRT.ORG and available on most podcast apps under Listening Lyrics.

Nat Lefkoff is 29 and has a cat named Sweetie who is just the best. Nat likes going on long walks and listening to books about history. He also likes bugs, birds, and especially roller blading. The Central Valley that dominates the interior of California is his home. Big open skies and fields with swampy spots and woods scattered throughout. Family and friends are super important, but so is the music he makes.

In his own words, "I'm so grateful to be able to call this my life. Best job I ever had. I'm a happy person but I get real down sometimes and these songs are the product of that. The pearls of my pain, the rainbows of my rain, the Ernie to my Bert, the worm in my dirt."  

Natt will appear for his latest album release event at the Davis Odd Fellows on Sept. 14, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Check out ticket availability here

This show is streamed at KDRT.ORG and available on most podcast apps under Listening Lyrics.

Weekly Playlist These are selected songs from Listening Lyrics, songs talked about but not necessarily played. Enjoy. Updated weekly.

After the Delugeis a music podcast about songwriting, albums, and whatnot hosted by Justin Cox, a KDRT friend. I replay most of this podcast in this week's Listening Lyrics. Seasons about Bright Eyes, Jackson Browne, and Against Me! are in this feed, plus other interviews.

We talk about my failed attempt to interview poets in the “late 1900s,” open mic nights, recording live and not overthinking it, interviewing locals > interviewing pros, KDRT, Rita Hosking, don’t be lame just make stuff, biking across Holland, Jackson Browne (ding ding), The Lovin’ Spoonful, Bright Eyes’ “We are Nowhere and it’s Now,” Paul Simon’s “Graceland,” Pieter reads a poem, Phil Ochs, Bob Dylan’s “Tempest,” Herb Alpert, The Avett Brothers, and: what was the best five-year stretch of your life?

This week Listening Lyrics shares music from host Pieter Pastoor's Shazam list with music he has never heard before, music he had forgotten, or songs he just loves.

The musicians include Rita Hosking, The Pogues, Patti Smith, The J.B.'s, Billy Swan, Smog, Nat Lefkoff, Mohama Saz, The Gold Souls, and Tracy Bonham.