Dayton’s own neo-soul electronic groovemachine Lavender Honey have a new video for us music lovers! Their latest song ‘Did It In The Dark’ swings with a shimmering electronic swagger. The video was created by OnlyNoise and set in the Zen Lounge in Dayton, Ohio and captures the magical dreamscape that Lavender Honey expertly craft with their music. We are excited about the band’s forthcoming debut album that was recorded with Samuri Sound. You can hear more of their music on the Lavender Honey’s bandcamp page.
Many thanks to David Scott and Tori Adams of Lavender Honey for joining Dr. J in the studio today to discuss their music, upcoming music video (releases this Friday!!!) and sharing their creative process with us here at Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative. Next week our good friend Paul Monnin of Age Nowhere join us in the studio!
‘Big Mess’ was on Flyying ColoursPoison City Records‘ release Fantasy Country. The album was released in February of 2021 and brings attention back to melodic big guitar shoegaze indie music! And we adore that sound here at Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative! Do yourself a favor and give the enter record a listen.
Update: Due to Covid concerns, the first week of the competition has been rescheduled.
The Dayton Battle of the Bands was an initiative that originally ran from January through February 2020 before the COVID epidemic occurred. It was launched as a collaboration between music promoters at Sound Valley Dayton and Venus Child Productions, and at the time a new downtown Dayton local music venue, The Brightside (located at 905 E 3rd St in downtown Dayton).
According to the organizers, “[t]he goal of Dayton Battle of the Bands is to shine a light on new and upcoming bands in the community while providing a prize package that helps launch them to their next level. The series runs for 6 weeks on Thursdays 7-10pm, with 4 bands per night, competing to win their week and move onto the Finals on Saturday, Feb 26, 2022.”
While the winners will receive an EP studio session at Dayton Sound Studios (sponsors of the event) and a cash prize, all the finalists win some exciting prizes too: a live music video from Sound Valley and an opening spot on Levitt Dayton’s summer 2022 lineup! Winners of each week are decided by a combination of audience and judges’ votes. Judges are a mix of local music writers, activists and musicians. The final winner is selected by audience votes only this allows music fans to choose the winner of the entire ‘Battle’. All shows are at The Brightside. Check with the venue for show information and COVID precautions.
“In reality, it’s less of a battle and more of an amazing networking opportunity for local bands and musicians,” Carli Dixon, owner of The Brightside, explained. “And this year is extra special because of this collaboration between all of us and Levitt Dayton.” Levitt Dayton, who manage the Levitt Pavilion in downtown Dayton joined the effort this year.
Each round is $10 to attend. Check daytonbattleofthebands.com for participating bands, ticket, and COVID protocols. Remember: ‘Support Your Local Music Scene!’
2021 was a solid year for independent music which is quite remarkable given the challenges that we all faced. Music has always existed as a way for us to process the dilemmas, struggles and losses that we face in life.
We are very excited for 2022 on Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative! Our 18th year doing this radio show is shaping up great! Next week on January 4th we start strong right out of the gate with special guests Lavender Honey on the YTAA program! Their atmospheric funky electro dream pop debut comes out early in the new year. Their single ‘In The Evening‘ can regularly be heard on the show! You can keep up with their plans on twitter, Instagram and their webpage.
Age Nowhere
Then our pal Paul Monnin of Age Nowhere joins us on January 11th to talk about the terrific sophomore effort ‘Age Nowhere Strikes Again‘! We were blown away by the texture and real feeling of this band’s first record, Airport Sounds. The follow-up album is another example of the fine variety of music that is consistently released on Magnaphone Records! Authentic country music is all too rare these days. You can keep an eye on Age Nowhere on Instagram! And we suggest that you do so! Tune in on the 11th and hear Dr. J chat with Paul about the new record from them!
The Touchy Feelys
A week later on January 18th The Touchy Feelys come in and chat about their excellent new album – ‘Break Up Songs about Staying Together‘ which was produced by The Wizard Patrick Himes at Reel Love Studios! In fact, Patrick was involved with that new music from Age Nowhere, Neo American Pioneers, The New Old-Fashioned and more this past 2021. The Touchy Feelys play with well… passion and feeling that capture the weight and of relationships. You can learn more about their music on their bandcamp page! They are also on Instagram – you have to love the video of them slicing the cake with the cover of their new record on it!
The month concludes with our good friend Tom Gilliam in the studio for our annual memorial program! As is the case every year, Tom joined us for our annual indie holiday effort, made suggestions for our ‘faves’ of 2021 shows and is kind to join us to reflect on the musicians and artists who left this realm in the past year.
And the train keeps rolling down the track because in February as we have Samantha J King in the studio to talk about her new single — coming out you on January 7th! — and playing a few songs acoustic live for us. Then later in the month of love we have Kurt Lee Wheeler in the studio to discuss his amazing record ‘On Our Way‘ and playing a show at Yellow Cab Tavern! Don’t worry, we will be talking about these upcoming shows soon.
One of our favorite Dayton-based bands, Seth Canan & The Carriers! This song is taken from their self-titled first release.
This song captures the feeling of being out of sorts and managing, maybe just barely. How often do we find ourselves in situations where we are ‘just getting by’. Perhaps today that feels all the more real to us. When Seth sings about wearing ‘Saturday’s shirt on a Sunday morning’ – that is a feeling or actual decision that we all can understand. This personal music helps us reflect on feeling being wrong. But there is a joy in the song that we can move on and feel better, do better, be more than what we were in the past.
Next week, December 14, 2021 we will have our annual YTAA Indie Holiday show with Tom Gilliam.
We have been doing these shows for a decade or more now! We have to be honest and say that we have lost track of how many years we have been doing this special edition of YTAA.
Every year we try to celebrate the holidays in full indie music style. We will be playing originals, classic covers, and unique holiday songs on this special show. Let’s all take a moment and reflect on the fact that this has been far more than another year that has come and gone! This revolution around the sun represents a monumental achievement. We all need to embrace joy and community wherever and however we find them!
We all know that there is a lot of frustration, stress and challenges during the holidays with all the sense of overwhelming of planning, shopping, traveling, pandemic logistics and more this holiday season. Well, we believe that music makes all of us feel a little better. Let us help you relax with some great indie holiday music. If you have a suggestion for a cool holiday tune, let us know! There have been several cool original holiday songs that we can’t wait to share with you!
And as always, Dr. J can’t wait to co-host the Annual Indie Holiday Radio Show on WUDR Flyer Radio 99.5/98.1’s Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative with our good friend and frequent guest on the program, Tom Gilliam, who always brings some interesting personal choices to the playlist. In addition, the talented Mrs. Dr. J has made many welcome suggestions to this program!
This year you have two chances to hear the indie holiday festivities! The original broadcast is on Tuesday, December 14th from 3-6 PM. Listen on 99.5 FM in Dayton, Ohio, USA or stream the broadcast at wudr.udayton.edu. And if that was not enough we upload the mix into our Mixcloud page! You can listen for the show in easily digestible one hour servings beginning the next day! We are very excited play new and classic indie holiday songs for you. Pour yourself a cup of coco, set up the yule log and put on your favorite holiday sweater.
Ever hear a record that you did not know anything about and were completely surprised, enamored and then drawn into a new musical world? Well, that has happened to us here at YTAA.
We are currently listening to the new record from Nicholas Johnson and to say that we are impressed is an example of classic understatement! The music he makes sways from sounding like Whiskeytown (‘Come Around’), smooth LA sounds of the ‘70s (‘I’m a Ghost’, Night Ride’) to rocking like a midwestern Lucero (‘Lonely Girl’), the story closes on a bluesy swirl about getting out and embracing experience (‘Nashville’). The record explores a music space that is reminiscent of the past and stands squarely in the present. For us the standout track is the shimmering vulnerability of ‘Sinner’
‘Sinner’ is a powerful, convincing and decisive tune. If you hear that song and do not feel the naked emotion, then you have some work to do. This song captures heartache, emotion and the soul ache that is part of living. In addition, the backing vocals from the always stellar Amber Hargett are just simply perfect and compliment the contemplative delivery of Johnson. Their voices together elevate the song. When Johnson sings: “I’m a sinner, ’cause I hate myself, I’m a sinner because I want to be” — you feel it because the Ryan Adams like patience in Johnson’s delivery makes it matter, you have felt this way too. You may not want to embrace your brokenness but it is there inside us all, just the same.
We would not be doing our job if we did not complement Rich Reuter’s production on this album which allows each song to shine on its own and as part of the collection. Reuter is a musical chameleon on this record playing guitar, bass, lap steel, mandolin, keyboards, drum programming, background vocals and percussion in addition to producing, engineering and mixing the songs. We have no doubt that the gathering of musicians who worked with Johnson on this record including some powerhouse alums of the Dayton Music Scene Khrys Blank, Jenna De Gruy, Amber Hargett, Patrick Himes, Eric Reith, Sara Gomes and Rob Spahr who all share a musical companionship and vision. Johnson not only has ties to the Dayton area but also has interesting stories from being a touring musician in Italy and throughout Europe. Some of those connections are demonstrated through the contributions of Lorenzo Testa on banjo and Lorena Vezzaro on violin.
Johnson draws on his music and storytelling influences while showcasing his unique focus on the textures of each song. While the songs stand on their own, the assembled music together paints a narrative that is relatable and meaningful. This approach should occur far more often than it does in music. And Johnsons voice is perfectly authentic as he sings across forms and styles in this incredibly catchy collection about human foibles and insecurities without sounding downtrodden.
Nicholas Johnson has crafted a fantastic record that has strong Dayton Music Scene connections both behind and in front of the microphone. Our compliments to Ninja Jam Records. Get this record! Get it right away!
Today on Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative we have new music from Kurt Lee Wheeler, The Lighthouse and the Whaler, Cat Ridgeway, Jason Matu, Chapell, Rise Against, Ghost Hounds, Bat Fangs, Moviola, The Color Fred, On the Runway, Oh Condor and much more.
This week we will be spotlighting several artists such as The Grief Brothers, Peter Hall, Burning Ferns and Bandicoot who are on the V4Velindre charity mixtape created by Kevin McGrath! We will be playing a #rearviewfrontview set of songs from The Connells. As well as discussing what it means to go to a music show in 2021.
So, join Dr. J & Flower for YTAA over at Flyer Radio
The first single from The Typical Johnsons‘ December release is here now. And what a welcome return this is for us music fans. Choosing an advance single is always tricky work. As they always do, The Typical Johnsons have chosen well. ‘Optimistic Nihilism’ works that magic space that all Typically Johnson songs inhabit. It’s real. It brings you along to face the fact that you may be your own worst enemy and that is ok because understanding that is part of how you change it. We cannot wait for the full album!
This is also the first song we will play on the program today! Remember to tune in from 3-6pm eastern time so set the ‘ol clocks. Listen online at http://listen.streamon.fm/wudr
Our good friend, journalist, music fan and writer Kevin McGrath has curated an amazing collection of alternative and independent music that includes some of our favorite musicians from his native Wales and beyond. What started as a few tracks continued to develop and grow into a vast mixtape like experience of compelling music that makes for hours of sonic adventures. The project grew to include 50 songs! The word impressive does not do this initiative justice.
This collection is not only an ambitious songscape but it is a project with heart. The proceeds for this initiative is a thoughtful effort to raise funds of the Velindre Cancer Center in Cardiff, Wales where McGrath himself received care for his own challenge with cancer. Money generated from the sale of this ‘Charity Mixtape’ are also being shared with the UK’s National Health Service which has been involved in a heroic struggle with the Covid-19 virus which claimed nearly 900 employees in that fight. In true community spirit, McGrath’s music collection draws attention to bands and musicians that we would all do well to explore in more detail and at the same time raise funds for a cutting edge cancer treatment center.
The music on this compilation includes newly recorded songs as well as music that has been out for a time. There are also some incredible reworkings of past music. When McGrath began contacting musicians for possible inclusion in this effort, he was overwhelmed with positive responses far exceeding his expectations. Community is built through commitment, involvement, attachment and demonstration of shared beliefs and this collection draws upon all of those characteristics of healthy community creation.
The music in this compilation includes several genres that we appreciate here at Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative such as folk/singer songwriter (Jodie Marie), catchy indie (The Grief Brothers, Bandicoot), indie rock (Walter Etc. – one of the few American bands to be included), lo fi (Armstrong), thoughtful melodic pop (Super 8), punk (Turin), surf rock (Eggs on Mars), orchestral pop (the criminally underappreciated Peter Hall) and rock and roll (Burning Furns, oh let’s just be honest and say… far too many artists to mention here).
John Harris, who we all should know called the collection a ‘brilliant, lovingly compiled album that showcases a lot of superb new music from Wales’. Pete Paphides (The Times, Mojo) labelled this musical experience ‘a magnificent anthology’ and The Welsh Music Podcast claimed it as a ‘Who’s who of Welsh Music’. There have been a variety of celebrity endorsements from Billy Bragg, Andrew Collins and Ian Rankin.
More details can be found on McGrath’s excellent blog, RedSoapBox.
Or better yet, purchase a copy of this fantastic collection at the bandcamp page for the project and support this effort.
Today’s Short Takes arrives from the pen of singer, guitarist Lisa Gain of Lisa Gain & The Rusty Silos. She has a new song ‘Run’ featuring Tino and Erin Coburn. The song is a Columbus – Dayton – Cincinnati “Ohio Super Collab” and will be released on August 27th!
Lisa’s powerful voice captures such raw and stark emotion that to experience her music is to be transported into a space where we reflect on the decisions we and others make everyday. Her arrangements vary from Americana, folk, rock, country and beyond. The songs paint a picture on the emotional canvas.
We greatly appreciate Lisa taking the time out of her busy schedule to share the music that she is listening to right now with us.
Dr. J: What are you listening to right now?
I have always been a true lover and supporter of local Ohio music! I’m blown away by someone every time I get to go out and see live music in Ohio! So I am proud to say that the majority of my digital music library is currently music by Ohio musicians. Many of whom I’ve been fortunate to meet over the years. Ohio is chock full of talent! So before I get to the local musicians I’ve been jamming to lately, I’ll start with the much more widely known artist Suzanne Vega and her hit song “Luka” from 1987. I was only 10 years old when this song came out. All I knew was it was a nice happy tune that I found to be very catchy and enjoyed hearing on the radio as a child. Once I started playing coffee shops back in the mid 90’s I decided to add “Luka” to my setlist. Almost 10 years later hearing the song again, learning those lyrics it hit me that whoa this tune was really heavy! The story is way heavier than the sound. Suzanne Vega has some great more recent slower acoustic versions of this on youtube that are more fitting to the mood and I prefer those versions over the original recording now. Unfortunately there are a lot of Luka’s out there so the subject of domestic abuse is still relevant 34 years later and sadly it will always be a subject that should be spoken about and acknowledged.
My second recent jam is provided by Dayton’s Rap Artist TINO! (P.S. I’m SOOO Excited about our collaboration that will be coming out soon “Run”!!! I am not worthy!). His EP “Past Due” that he put out during the pandemic (May 2020) is great! One of the reasons I reached out to Tino and asked him to work with me is because in my opinion he has that old school 90’s sound that I always loved! I think some of the best rap music came out of that era and he takes me back to that time! His opening track “You know” is a great example of that. Nice catchy hook and you will know it’s TINO-O! His track “95 Tribe” really takes me back since I graduated High School in 95′. It’s always nice when you have a personal connection to a song. Even if it may mean something different to us the listener sometimes than what it means to the artist who wrote it. If you buy the EP you will get his bonus track “Summertime” which is one of my favorite tracks on the EP and it’s PERFECT for this time of year to jam to! All in all I love every track on this EP and highly recommend that you check out TINO and his other collaborations!
My third recent jams are provided by Cincinnati based Blues/Rocker Erin Coburn! I bought her album “Out from Under” at a live show a couple months back and had her sign it because if you don’t know who Erin is yet I’m sure you will in the near future! She recently got 2.9 million views on a Facebook live stream concert and I predict she is on her way to doing big things! I am so happy to support her along her journey! (P.S. Erin also collaborated with Tino and I on our upcoming single “Run”. I am not worthy!!.) She just turned 20 and has been playing guitar since she was just 7 years old. She plays like no woman I’ve ever had the pleasure to personally meet! Like an old soul that should have played in Woodstock! This album proves that not only is Erin a genius on the Guitar she also has soul in her voice and the subjects she writes about. The ENTIRE album is Fantastic, but some of my favorite tracks are the title track “Out from Under”. “Diggin’ you Heavy” is Amazing! “Your mind Gun” has a great guitar solo in it that reminded me of something Slash would do. “Trip on this” grabs you at the 1st line “Trip on this we don’t need the shrooms to get high”. Honestly all 11 tracks are standouts to me! I also HIGHLY recommend you see her live if you get the chance! She and her current band mates are phenomenal!!!
And last, but certainly not least is Dayton’s very own Gem, Windsor Knotts. I bought his album “Forgotten… But not Gone” the last time I went to the Dayton Songwriters Showcase Thursdays at the Yellow cab Tavern last June. I feel like Windsor is one of those unsung heroes. I met him over a decade ago when he was hosting the Showcase at the Canal Street Tavern here he is 10 years later still doing it to feed us artists. To feed our Souls with what we love to do. He and the yellow cab tavern helped me to keep my sanity by continuing to host these safe outdoor events during Covid-19 and providing me with a creative outlet that unfortunately my hometown of Columbus was not able to offer me at the time.
I can’t thank them enough for supporting local artist’s such as myself to the ones that may just be beginning. Windsor cheers us all to get on stage! I feel like I found a second home in Dayton with my music and the songwriters showcase is a huge part of that! It’s where I have meet so many other talented musicians! So when I bought Windsor’s album he warned me and said “It’s not normal”. I played it several times on my ride back home to that night. I truly enjoyed this album! Even the “Opossum” singing… lol. I’d describe it in the vein of Bluegrass/Country. Sometimes it reminded me of old Grandpa Jones that my Dad used to spin on record. Comedic sometimes, yet other songs are serious. If you see Windsor out and about in Dayton buy his album and then please thank him for encouraging so many Ohio artists like me!
Many thanks to Lisa for sharing some of her musical journey with us!
If you would like to contribute to a future Short Takes essay, just let us know at drjytaa on gmail.com! Our contact us through this page. We would love to feature more artists and listeners of Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative! Photos of Lisa Gain taken by Dr. J in the WUDR Studios.
Streaming Forward, Powered By The Past - if you love the 80s music, new music, Eurovision, cheesy pop and awesome playlists then let's get this pop party started!
Today’s Short Takes arrives from the pen of singer, guitarist Lisa Gain of 
And last, but certainly not least is Dayton’s very own Gem, Windsor Knotts. I bought his album “Forgotten… But not Gone” the last time I went to the Dayton Songwriters Showcase Thursdays at the 
your tuesday afternoon alternative 