Winnipeg Folk Fest 2012 Interview Series: Atomic Duo

Dr. Beard and Captain Kief sat down with Mark Rubin and Silas Lowe, also known as the Atomic Duo,  to discuss how they use traditional genres such as country, bluegrass and gospel to create protest music.

Travelers in the truest sense of the word, they are a dynamic pair of present-day Woody Guthries, rolling up their sleeves, digging in, and broadcasting the voices of those struggling at the bottom. The interview is also scattered with a few live tunes by the Atomic Duo.

Winnipeg Folk Fest 2012 Interview Series: Eliza Gilkyson

Eliza Gilkyson joined the KVSC crew, Dr. Beard, Bridget and Captain Kief at the 2012 Winnipeg Folk Festival. In this 14 minute interview Gilkyson discusses Winnipeg  workshops and music collaborations at festivals, releasing her first album 40 years ago when female musicians were a rarity and her recent album Roses at the End of Time.

As a politically minded, poetically gifted sing-songwriter, who has become one of the most respected musicians in Folk and Americana music, Gilkyson has a lot to talk about. 

Winnipeg Folk Fest 2012 Interview Series: Bill Frisell

Bill Frisell has contributed to various collaborations over the years, his work has established himself as one of the most sought-after guitar voices in contemporary music. 

The breadth of Frisell’s performing and recording is a testament not only to his singular guitar conception, but his musical versatility as well. In this interview Captain Kief and Dr. Beard discuss with Frisell his performances at the Folk Festival in addition to his vast music career. 

Winnipeg Folk Fest 2012 Interview Series: Pokey LaFarge

 Of the many roots musicians traveling the world and spreading the early American music tradition, Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three are the next in line to make a significant impact on music enthusiasts everywhere. In this interview Pokey LaFarge visited the KVSC tent to discuss summer festivals, world travels and maintaining a family throughout all of it during his thriving career. As a guitar-plucking troubadour, LaFarge has an eclectic personality that translates across borders.

Winnipeg Folk Fest 2012 Interview Series: Wil-Dog of Ozomatli

In their 17 years of being together, celebrated Los Angeles culture-mashers Ozomatli have gone from being hometown heroes to being named U.S. State Department Cultural Ambassadors. Ozomatli’s music has long followed a key mantra: it will take you around the world by taking you around L.A.

Wil-Dog, the bassist of Ozomatli, sat down with KVSC to discuss Ozomatli’s history and how they got started after the riots in LA, their massive music career, his family associations with Minnesota and his love for the Minnesota music scene. 

Winnipeg Folk Fest 2012 Interview Series: Willy Porter

Willy Porter continued to showcase his growth as a songwriter and recording artist at the 2012 Winnipeg Folk Festival. Porter has spent the summer touring for his most recent release, “How to Rob A Bank".

Each song off of the album is a fresh cross-pollination of styles, genres and musical forms. In this interview Willy Porter discusses with the KVSC crew the brilliance of the Winnipeg Folk Festival and how enjoyable the workshops, performances and overall festival atmosphere is. 

Winnipeg Folk Fest 2012 Interview Series: Abigail Washburn

Abigail Washburn sat down with KVSC’s veteran deejay Bridget at the 2012 Winnipeg Folk Festival in July. The two discussed folk festival workshops, various world and musical influences and how Washburn almost moved to China to become a lawyer but instead got distracted by a banjo.

That banjo, combined with her powerful vocals, launched Washburn’s entire Nashville-based career. If American old-time music is about taking earlier, simpler ways of life and music-making as one’s model, Abigail Washburn has proven herself to be a bracing revelation to that tradition. 

Slug (from Atmosphere) interview

In this podcast of Crispy Critics, KVSC assistant music director Derek Ehlert speaks with Slug from Atmosphere.  Their tour keeps them out of Minnesota for a large part of summer '12, so get your fix here.

Crispy Critics Macklemore

In this April 2012 edition of Crispy Critics, KVSC Assistant Program Director Derek Ehlert talks to Macklemore about a day in his life, his experiences and expectations of Soundset, and lots of of other stuff.  Check it out!

Dessa Interview

As part of Crispy Critics, KVSC Music Assistant Derek Ehlert had the opportunity to speak with Doomtree's Dessa about her past, her music, and her life as a performer.

Luke Warm & the Cool Hands Perform Live from the 2011 Minnesota State Fair

KVSC made its annual trip to the Minnesota State Fair on the opening day, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011. This time around, KVSC tried something new and broadcasted two live performances from the fair. This podcast has the second performance of the day by Luke Warm and the Cool Hands.

Luke Warm and the Cool Hands (also known as LWATCH) are a traditional bluegrass band from Minneapolis who play original music and bluegrass, folk and the occasional polka cover songs. Members include Charles Batko, Luke Kaster, Matthew Kaster, Mchael Periolat, Curtis Wilson and John Poquette. LWATCH is also performing on Monday Night Live on Sept. 12, 2011 at 10 p.m.

Click to view more photos.

Live Interview, Performance with Adam Hammer and Dave Cofell

In this news feature, Arts & Cultural Heritage producer Jeff Carmack brings you a live interview and performance with Dave Cofell and Adam Hammer. The three will be talking about the “Weekend of Songs: Songwriters Festival” Aug. 19-21, 2011, in St. Joseph at the Local Blend Coffee shop. So stay tuned for a conversation about the songwriting process as well as details about all the different local songwriters, performances, and jam sessions that are coming to town this weekend.

Interview with Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Acclaimed singer, songwriter and guitarist Gary Louris of The Jayhawks performed at the Historic Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud on Saturday, June 11, 2011. The concert, organized by KVSC, was funded in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant.

Louris has built a loyal following at an international level with respect from critics and peers alike. Best known for his leading role with The Jayhawks, Louris is one of the most acclaimed and popular musicians to come out of the Minneapolis rock music scene. His release "Vagabonds" in 2008 marked Louris' formal launch as a solo artist.

Listen to this MusicCast as Station Manager Jo McMullen takes us through the music of Gary Louris and what was in store for the concert. Louris also discusses his current music projects and what's in store for the future.

Exclusive Interview with Haley Bonar

As KVSC prepared for An Evening with Gary Louris and Friends live at The Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud, on June 11, 2011, Station Manager Jo McMullen took timeout to interview Haley Bonar.  The Americana singer/songwriter Haley Bonar was just beginning a nationwide tour and in support of her new album.

Haley Bonar is a Minneapolis artist known for her alternative country and independent style. Bonar's new album "Golder" was recorded at the famous Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minn. and represents her strive to become a better artist, growing with each song she writes. Listen to this MusicCast to learn more about her development as an artist and background on select songs.

History and Origins of Blues

It is very hard to live a day without hearing something influenced by the blues. This genre has become very versitle over the years and has left its mark in the evolution of music. Asking how the blues came to be is comparable to asking why water is wet...

The "History and Origins of Blues" scratches the surface on the creation of this toe-tapping music. Diving into the rich culture of different styles from field hollers to piedmont as well as covering some of the vital artists who helped shape the history of the blues. The "History and Origins of Blues" is an audio documentary by Aaron K that is sure to get your mojo working.

Special Edition Crispy Critics Features Exclusive Interview

In this special edition of Crispy Critics, Monday Night Live Host Dana Johnson takes over as she interviews Big Zach and Joshua from More Than Lights and Kanser. As the show features the music of two alternative hip-hop groups from Minneapolis, Dana reminds the audience of a free concert coming up Nov. 1st.

More Than Lights and Kanser will perform at Pioneer Place on Fifth Avenue in downtown St. Cloud in a special two-hour performance. The show starts at 8 p.m. Nov. 1, and will broadcast live on KVSC 88.1FM. The all-ages show is free and open to the public.

Collective Unconscious-CSNY Deja Vu

They've been performing together for a decade in Minnesota. Collective Unconscious is a group of musicians, and really, friends...who believe in the power of good music and how we're all connected deeper because of it.

They're presenting their lastest tribute show at the Pioneer Place on 5th in March 2010.  Jo McMullen chats with these chaps about Crosby Stills Nash and Young's Deja Vu album. The album was released 40 years ago and still has relevance today.  The Collective Unconscious have treated us to the Beatles Abbey Road, Pet Sounds from the Beach Boys/Brian Wilson and Simon and Garfunkels Bridge Over Troubled Water.  Check out how they're going to treat us next with this podcast.  McMullen apologizes for giggles.

Crispy Critics Gets in the Mood for Some Pulled Pork

This week on Crispy Critics, Max and Ben decide to ask questions now and shoot later. First, they bring you the most technical segment of Crispy Critics ever recorded while pondering the concept of "off-kilter" vocals with Thomas Function. Then, they delve into the psyche of depressed hip-hop with Slug and Murs (a.k.a. Felt) by exploring the difficulty of sad music. Penultimately, Ben interrogates Max on the latter's love of mountain-based music with Capybara. And lastly, they get all excited over some upcoming releases while Ben shows why he is not a singing/rapping star:

Tokyo Police Club:
Blog: http://lookuptobicycle.wordpress.com/
Site: http://tokyopoliceclub.com

Spoon: http://www.spoontheband.com/

Good Shoes: http://goodshoes.co.uk/

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip: http://lesacvspip.wordpress.com/

George Maurer's Wayward Journey

George Maurer's journey is one we've been proud to tag along with at KVSC.  In this podcast, one of Minnesota's most talented and respected jazz performers shares his story--and his latest CD that represents the last five years of his sojourn.

George Maurer is a classically trained composer whose talent travels well beyond jazz. Listen to enjoy an intimate story of hard work, love of music and respectful collaboration.

Crispy Critics Go Punk with Bad Religion

In a special edition of Crispy Critics, the duo of Ben Prchal and Mike Jones interview Jay Bentley of Bad Religion for half the show. Bentley, the bassist and one of the original founders of the world famous rock group has been with Bad Religion for over 25 years.

Leading up to this exclusive interview with Jay Bentley, they start with a review of the lighter side of punk with the rock trio Vivian Girls. Then, Mike and Ben continue with their punk theme as they discuss The Bomb, the punk group out of Chicago. Ending this special edition of Crispy Critics is the exclusive interview.

Crispy Critics go European!

In this edition of Crispy Critics, Ben and Mike do up an (accidental) all-European show! First, they take a look at the latest from French hip-hopper Wax Tailor (a.k.a. Jean-Christophe Le Saoût), which causes both to marvel at the awesomeness of European electronica and imitate a beer commercial. Then the duo swims across the Channel to the UK for the debut from grrl rock trio Pens wherein they construct a mighty metaphor with sausage. Finally, they bring up another Brit, namely Fink (or Fin Greenall, as his parents may call him), mostly so Ben can go all gushy about his voice*.

*may or may not be true
 

Crispy Critics--Arctic Monkeys, fun. & more

This week, in the inaugural edition of Crispy Critics for Fall 2009, Your Humble Music Director, Ben Prchal and Co-Host, Max Brown dig into a couple of debut releases, and the latest from an emerging/established band. First, we review “Why There Are Mountains,” the first release from New York band Cymbals Eat Guitars, wherein Max speaks of punching the sky to watch space bleed. Then we dive into fun.’s debut, “Aim and Ignite,” and I wonder if they can be booked for bowling alley birthday parties. Finally, it’s Arctic Monkeys and their third album, “Humbug,” which caused me to have a crisis of sorts.

Greg Brown Podcast with Jo McMullen

Greg Brown has been a prolific songwriter--fans of his work know how his words can feel just right. During this interview Brown discusses his view on the war in Iraq, the changing tone of America, and his personal little record label housed in an Iowa trailer. The podcast offers a charming insight into this very creative and admired musician.

Brown was feeling upbeat on this summmer day, coming off visiting friends in Superior, Wisconsin and on his way to investigate some nearby lakes for their fish content.

Fred Eaglesmith Podcast with Wayne Bergerson

Wayne Bergerson, KVSC folk music host of 25 years, sat down with an artist he has long admired. Wayne interviews Canadian singer-songwriter Fred Eaglesmith at the 2006 Winnipeg Folk Festival. Eaglesmith hopped a western bound train as a young man and hasn't stopped writing songs since.

You can sense the connection Wayne and Fred make in this personal interview about the subject matter of Eaglesmith's songs (trains, guy stuff, farms, drinking), work ethic and life experiences.

David Dondero Crispy Critics Podcast

KVSC's Music Director, Jason Schueppert, talks to David Dondero about the troubadour's latest release, Simple Love, Myspace, touring, and his record label, Team Love.

Few songwriters have experienced and expressed the sinking depths and uplifting optimism of humanity like David Dondero, and his ability to shine a light on the human condition (his own included) is inspiring. Dondero is best known for his narrative tales of America. Having spent most of his life on the road, Dave uses his staggering lyrical talent to paint tales of life in the US of A through clever word play and sarcastic humor (as represented in the album title) about some of life’s most sensitive subjects.

Cloudcult's Craig Minowa Interview Podcast

In April of 2009 KVSC's Music Director Max Brown talked with Craig Minowa, the founding member and lead singer of Minnesota band Cloud Cult. Listen as they discuss Minowa's take on music and environmental activism. They also chat about the nonprofit label he founded, Earthology Records, based out of his organic farm.