There is a real challenge in our community that is all too often ignored. According to recent research, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 24. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth (LGBTQ+) are significantly at increased risk. LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers.
The National Conference for Community & Justice of Greater Dayton (NCCJ) is organizing a fantastic event on May 13, 2023, to raise public awareness of these issues and create a welcoming and supportive space for all members of our community. The event is called Pride Rocks! and it will bring people together over food, music, friendship, and more.
This event includes music, community participation and involvement, and healthy ways to educate one another on suicide prevention. In partnership with the Dayton Metro Library, Equitas Health, the Hope Collective Church, Mental Health and Recovery Board of Clark, Champaign, and Green Counties in Ohio, Montgomery County ADAMHS, and Ohio Naturally, the NCCJ is creating a free and open public event to build solidarity and health in the Dayton region.
You can learn more about Pride Rocks! by reaching out to NCCJ Dayton at info@nccjgreaterdayton.org or calling 937-222-6225 to request information
One of Dr. J’s favorite bands, Bottlecap Mountain, will be in Dayton on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, and that is a cause for celebration.
After a visit to Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative for an interview and some live acoustic songs during our second hour they will play a set at Blind Bob’s in Dayton tonight!
Imagine a great indie pop rock band with a side of funk and a Replacements meet Uncle Tupelo vibe. This is a band that has no problem stepping into various genres and styles — Folk, Indie, Americana, Rock, or even Power Pop — with a sense of humor and sly social commentary served with a side of melody.
Do not let the band’s playfulness disguise the lyrically rich storytelling and musicianship that they can demonstrate in a single song like ‘Canoe’ or ‘Dream On, Come On’. The bass lines, keyboard, and slashing guitar on ‘AstralFunk’ show how the band can make a slinky funky tune that will carry you along. “Resurrection Blues’ has a powerful pull that recalls Folk and Americana at their most urgent. And this band rocks! ‘My Little Demon’ is an honestly heavy, bluesy confection that urges all of us to soulful reflection.
Their latest album is a well-made affair while keeping a whimsical look at the subjects of everyday life. They are tight, and not afraid of crunchy guitars, bubbly bass, and a keyboard foundation which is a real pleasure. In fact, one of the strengths of the band is the ability to move from quiet to loud or vice versa without being jarring or precious. The vocals on the record are nothing short of perfect. This is a record to be played loudly and often.
Come see the Austin, Texas quartet play songs from their sixth album ‘O! Fantastik Melancholy’ at Blind Bob’s tonight!
Tons of new music. Some indie classics. We love radio day. Today we are spotlighting music from Nicholas Johnson, Kim Ware, Bottlecap Mountain, and Nick Kizirnis!
The set list includes songs from our good pal Nicholas Johnson, High on Stress (from Minneapolis, MN), Kim Ware, Librarians with Hickeys (Ohio by way of Big Stir Records), BAILEN, ODESZA, Panic Pocket, Connections (from Columbus, Ohio), POPSICKO (seriously Big Stir records roster is an impressive lineup of great indie powerpop), Iguana Death Cult, Unkown Mortal Orchestra, ALIENS, The Band of Heathens, Bottlecap Mountain, James, Genevieve Artadi, The Speedways, The 1984 Draft (Dayton, Ohio), M83, The Housemartins, Daughter, Nick Kizirnis (Dayton, Ohio), Phoenix, Beach Bunny, The Connells, Greg Dulli, Achilles Tenderloin, Steady Holiday, Let’s Active, Nicole Yun, The Tisburys and The Replacements.
We will be chatting about some exciting shows on the horizon from Nicholas Johnson, The Pinkerton Raid, Age Nowhere, Bottlecap Mountain, and more happening in our hometown of Dayton, Ohio.
Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative used to be called ‘School of Rock w/ Dr. J’? True story. The program was an outgrowth of classes that Dr. J taught at the University of Dayton on the sociology of popular music, popular music in society, and the history of popular music in the United States. This began in November of 2004 and lasted for a few years until the program was retooled to focus on indie, local, and Dayton, Ohio music and the talented Mrs. Dr. J became a regular part of the program. By 2010, the focus of the show had changed.
Then the program was re-named ‘Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative’ and featured Dr. J and Mrs. Dr. J (we are truly a married couple) and we did the program together for a few years. Of course, it is important to note that Mrs. Dr. J was making significant contributions to the program behind the scenes. During that time we even featured segments that focused on different ideas near and dear to her heart — ‘Mrs. Dr. J’s Dance Party,’ ‘Dayton Concert Calendar’, and ‘Favorite Song of the Week.’
The School of Rock program was an extension of those classes where Dr. J would investigate a particular song, album, or artist and explore where that sound came from in the classroom. Who influenced a sound that is popular today? Where did that approach originate? These segments — often taking over an hour of the show were efforts to draw clear lineage for music that we played on the show. But no one likes a preachy college professor discussing lines of influence every week. And the show organically moved toward an interest in the amazing music scene in Dayton, Ohio specifically, and the American Midwest more generally. This combined with an interest in alternative, independent, and new and local music.
One of our first programs drew a line from traditional music to folk music to Hank Williams and early country, Appalachian, and bluegrass music to The Byrds (especially Sweetheart of the Rodeo) and Graham Parsons and The Flying Burrito Brothers to The Eagles (who shared a founding member Bernie Leadon) to modern bluegrass and newgrass (notably Sam Bush, Bela Fleck) and alt-country of the Avett Brothers, Whiskeytown, and Uncle Tupelo (a big favorite of ours). These and other bands drew from all of the music that they loved in their formative years — Rockability, Juke Joint, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Punk Rock, Country, Americana, and Folk music among other influences.
While the program no longer explores a single thread of an idea and expanded from a two-hour program to a three-hour show so that there would be time to conduct interviews with bands, artists, and creatives, the interest in finding time to reflect deeply on music is a passion that still drives the radio show today.
This week was extra special with guests Tyler Trent and Tim Krug of Brainiac in the studio to discuss the release after several decades of music that Brainiac was working on right before the passing of Timmy Taylor.
It was a powerful yet fun discussion with them. We celebrated the music of the band and discussed reunion shows including a tour in Europe with Mogwai. After over 25 years, enthusiasm around the music and art made by Brainiac continues.
Following the incredible 2019 Transmissions After Zero documentary made by Eric Mahoney about the band, interest was generated among a new generation of fans. Several recently unearthed archival releases from Touch and Go Records — ‘Attic Tapes’ and ‘From Dayton, Ohio’ both released in 2021 continue to build interest.
The surviving band members: Tyler Trent (drums), John Schmersal (guitar), and Juan Monasterio (bass) return to celebrate the music joined by Tim Krug of Oh Condor and Hexadiode abling stepping in to help the band reimagine that music for a new audience. As the Predator Nominate EP demonstrates even in the form of demos, the forward-thinking musical chaos of Braniac continues to resonate once more for both a new generation and long-time fans alike.
The new Predator Nominate EP is available now wherever you get music.
This week we take a moment and remember many of the musicians that we lost in 2022. Our good friend Tom Gilliam of the terrific Dayton band Ghost Town Silence joins Dr. J to pay tribute to those we lost last year. We will play music made, written, and produced by artists such as Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Jim Stewart (Stax Records), Jerry Allison (Buddy Holly and The Crickets), Don Wilson (The Ventures), Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac), Anita Pointer (The Pointer Sisters), Jerry Lee Lewis, Dino Danelli (The Rascals), Lamont Dozier (amazing part of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team), Joe Messina (The Funk Brothers), Andy Fletcher (Depeche Mode), Mimi Parker (Low), Terry Hall (The Specials, among other projects), Ronnie Spector (legendary led vocalist of The Ronnettes), Meat Loaf, Tyronne Downie (Bob Marley & The Wailers) among many others.
Every year we ask some of our music friends to share some of their thoughts on some of the albums/singles that were released in the past year.
Our good friend, fellow Connells fan, thoughtful social media user, and one of the most ardent new music fans Rob Perry agreed to share his thoughts about new music from the past year.
2022, for me, has been a year in that I got to get back out into the live music scene a bit and enjoy a lot of great music released by my favorite artists and some new ones, too. I saw wildly enthusiastic live shows by Superchunk and Built To Spill (both with new albums this year) and more subdued ones like Waxahatchee and Sharon Silva.
As far as this year’s album releases go, here are five of my favorites. All are records that I find easy to put on the turntable and enjoy from front to back.
Archers of Loaf – Reason in Decline … their first new album in over two decades was highly anticipated by long-time fans. But this record doesn’t have the signature noisy gnarl of the early releases. This is a band, seemingly now with a different sense of purpose. When I listen to this album I hear impeccably crafted songs, still distorted but looking more positively at our ever-changing world.
Tess Parks – And Those Who Were Seen Dancing … Here’s another record that’s been a long time coming. When released, it had been almost 10 years since Park’s last album “Blood Hot”. On this one, her ethereal vocals, mixed with sonic influences of Oasis, Patti Smith, and Primal Scream provide a nicely wrapped feeling of 90s nostalgia. Drop the needle on this and let your psyche explore it all.
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – Endless Rooms … This is the group’s third long play and it highlights their consistency and creative growth. What I love about this band and album is the incredible combination of songwriting skill layered intricately into their three-guitar interplay. There seems to be an ego-free vibe among the six-stringers Joe Russo, Joe White, and Fran Keaney. While this release doesn’t use the same template as the band’s debut “Hope Downs” it does expand on the definition of what a great Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever record can be.
Yumi Zouma – Present Tense… The New Zealand quartet’s fourth album is a subtle shift from their previous records. While it’s still shimmering Dream Pop, this release hints at moving a bit towards mid-80s Fleetwood Mac or Hall & Oates. The band has done a great job of weaving a variety of textures into the songs on this record. “Present Tense” has a little something for almost everyone and listening will most certainly augment your mood.
Spoon – Lucifer on the Sofa … In February, one of my favorite bands “finally” released their latest record after five long years. As their music always seems to be evolving, I wasn’t sure what the signature album sound might be. For me, the edgy-riffed “The Hardest Cut” definitely sets the tone but all of the tunes have a roughhewn and sparsely produced feel. The record sounds like it could have been recorded live in your living room. As usual from Britt Daniel, there’s excellent songwriting and a nice mix of tempo.
This Friday, December 9, 2022, Heather Redman releases her first solo record! This is fantastic news. A rock and roll record with soul, funk, country, and RnB influences, this record is real. In fact, if you were to look up the definition of authentic in the dictionary you would see a picture of this artist. Heather has some of the most impressive vocals that you can imagine. She has energy and more virtuosity than you can shake a stick at — or in other words, we mean it when we say we would listen to her sing the phone book.
Heather Redman has assembled a crack band featuring the rhythm section from Dayton giants Shrug — Dan Stahl (drums) and Bryan Lakatos (bass) and kickin’ guitar from Matt Webster (The Professors, oh let’s be honest far too many bands to mention) and the multi-instrumentalist David Payne (The New Old Fashioned, Midwest Business Machine, not to mention his own stellar solo recordings)! The album was produced by “The Wizard” Patrick Himes, who contributed more than a few sonic touches to this excellent album.
If you add it all up and you have a recipe for music textures that illuminate their influences while adding new musical territory to the map of songcraft called ‘Heather Redman & The Reputation.
To help you get ready for this new record, care of the fine folks at Magnaphone Records, Heather has released a music video for her second advance single “Wait For Me.” From the start of the thrill of the keyboards to the shot of the drum and strum of the bass string followed by Heather’s hairs standing up on your neck vocals, the sway and swirl of this song will capture your heart. But fear not, you can have it back in a little over three minutes.
Do you ever tire of hearing people say that there is no good new music nowadays? The music released in 2022 should silence those fools, but you and I know nothing will silence people who think that way. My wallet wishes that I was one of those fools who did not care about new (and old) music this year. Other than what is in the top spot, the rest of my top ten albums of 2022 is in no order.
Wet Leg – Wet Leg. No new release in recent memory has given me as much joy as Wet Leg’s debut record. My actual age is quickly approaching my spiritual age, meaning that I am probably more prone to embracing my inner curmudgeon these days. When a band has so much buzz behind them, my instant reaction is to dismiss them. I am glad I did not do that with Wet Leg.
The record is so much more than the singles released in 2021, “Chaise Longue” and “Wet Dream”. The rest of the record is full of hooks. It feels like the best music from the ’90s but is not a retro record. One of my highlights of the year was seeing them in March at Chicago’s Thalia Hall. It was absolutely thrilling to see a band clearly in its ascendancy yet still figuring things out. I cannot wait to see what Wet Leg does for an encore!
Cate Le Bon – Pompeii. This record contains probably my favorite song of the year, “Remembering Me”. The video to it is incredible. Cate is one of those musicians that I will follow any weird or challenging path she happens to forge.
Elvis Costello & The Imposters – The Boy Named If. I had to check the calendar again. This album came out in January 2022. I am a huge Costello nerd. Huge! This record made me so happy. It is his best since 2004’s The Delivery Man. It is closest to Brutal Youth with respect to the sound of the record. If that does nothing for you, we probably cannot be friends.
The Beths – Expert in a Dying Field. Have The Beths made a bad record yet? Do they even know how to make a bad record? I embrace our new Kiwi rock overlords.
Young Guv– GUV III & GUV IV. I’m cheating by combining both Young Guv records as one record. It is full of jangly goodness. These songs sound even more rocking live. One of the highlights of going to England this summer for me was catching Young Guv in Bristol. Great show!
BOAT – No Plans to Stick the Landing. I’ve been a fan of this Seattle band for a long time since probably 2009’s Setting the Paces. I get the feeling they have the same influences as I do: Guided By Voices, Elliott Smith, Teenage Fanclub, and Pavement.
Spiritualized – Everything Was Beautiful. This is a mild upset. When asked to do lists in the past, Spiritualized normally takes the top spot if they released a record in that year. That to me is weird because I never think to name them as one of my favorite bands. I should rectify that and start name-checking them every chance I get.
Angel Olsen – Big Time. Angel Olsen sounds like a country-leaning Roy Orbison on this record. It is “big” and well worth your “time”. Angel Olsen is another artist I will follow on whatever creative path she takes.
Sloan – Steady. Has Sloan made a bad record yet? Do they even know how to make a bad record? Long live Canada’s answer to The Beatles!
I should have an addendum to the list. I also put out a record with my band, Phil Yates & The Affiliates, called A Thin Threadon Futureman Records. If I was feeling particularly cocky, I would have put it in the Top Ten of 2022. For now, let’s leave it as a nice little footnote for this year.
The year 2022 was great for music books, too. I need to get my hands on Bob Dylan’s latest book. Christmas is coming, so family members reading this, consider that a hint. My favorite book from a musician was Jarvis Cocker’s Good Pop, Bad Pop. It is a great reflection on the memorabilia we collect and what makes some of it keepable and other portions of it more disposable. I could hear Jarvis’ voice whilst reading it.
For those of you wanting to give yourself a bit of a challenge, PJ Harvey’s Orlam should be on your reading list. It is a novel-length poem written in the old Dorset dialect. Don’t worry. There is a glossary of terms at the back of the book.
Thanks for reading! May all of you have a wonderful, music-filled 2023!
We have created a new playlist on Spotify of music and songs that we play on Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative with Dr. J! This playlist is meant to grow as we discover new and exciting music to share with you on the program! If you have suggestions for this collection of music, please let us know. We will continue to expand the list over time!
On Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative this coming Tuesday — March 8th — we have a terrific electro indie pop artist, Serin Oh! We were fortunate to see her perform at the Dayton Battle of the Bands contest and were truly impressed with her stage presence, amazing voice and clever arrangements. It is fair to say that she had that audience raptured with her songs and effortless vocal delivery. She even persuaded the crowd to chant Korean to one of her songs. It was a fun, engaging and dynamic performance.
We immediately were struck by the thought that her music adds an important element to the thriving Dayton Music Scene! Born in Suwon, South Korea, Serin moved to Ohio with her family at the age of six. Growing up in church, she was surrounded by gospel music in her formative years. During her time at the prestigious Berklee College of Music she discovered her love for jazz and R&B, whilst also rediscovering her Korean roots through the lens of K-Pop.
Serin has started a musical journey in her effort to search for a sound that would allow her to express the duality and contradictions of her identity through her music. Serin’s goals extend beyond music to using music culture to create opportunities for other musicians and creatives who are often not part of music culture. She hopes to uplift ‘third culture kids’ in the creative world through her music, especially fellow ‘third culture kids and secret outcasts.’ Using music to forge connection is a welcome approach!
It is with great pleasure that we welcome Serin Oh to Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative! You can find out more about her and her music through her social media, Soundcloud and Bandcamp pages!
This week we joined in the studio with some incredibly authentic Americana musicians, The Touchy Feelys! Their latest record Breakup Songs about Staying Together is available now! Andrea Dawn Courts and Jason Trout — collectively known as The Touchy Feelys — are incredible songwriters and vocalists. The ability to create meaningful songs about the pressures, pushes and pulls of relationships and make those feelings understood within a prism of release for each listener is a rare talent. To call these songs evocative is to give a slender acknowledgement to the portent captured in this record. Produced, engineered and mixed by The Wizard Patrick Himes at Reel Love Studios in Dayton, Ohio, this record captures a raw authentic feel when two voices collide together around a swirl of guitars, drums, upright bass, piano and more. Our good friend Mr. Himes did incredible duty on this record! Patrick contributed drums, guitar, piano, organ, banjo, mandolin, omnichord, xylophone, vibraphone and pedal steel. Yeah, he helped out a little. But no matter the brilliant cacophony, without excellent songwriting and emotional singing, even the best of intentions would fall flat. We are happy to say that is not the situation here. These songs are the real deal.
Whether Andrea Dawn or Jason take the lead, there is an inescapable realization that these songs come from a genuine and authoritative vision. The best moments for me are when they sing together complimenting their individual strengths. Andrea Dawn has voice that draws from great roots voices of the past yet turns her phrasing around into something quite modern and relatable. Jason sings each song as if it is to be the last song he ever sings. These songs should be heard. Any fans of country, folk, Americana and roots music would be well served to give this album a passionate listen. Standouts on the record for us at YTAA include the driving ‘Hard Time,’ the rollicking “If You Weren’t My Lover,” the propulsive “Left Me Lonely” and the pensive “On High Lullaby.”
We are looking forward to speaking with them this week in the studio! Join us from 3-6pm on Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative on WUDR Flyer Radio.
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